Ron Torbert and Jalen Hurts (Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
NFL refs have reportedly warned players about a rule change they’ll strictly enforce in the 2025 season.

Much to the chagrin of fans, coaches, and players, the performance of the NFL refs will always be a top storyline in any given season. Last year, they had to deal with accusations about “rigging” games for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, a notion that forced Commissioner Roger Goodell to deny it sternly.

The league even shared data with all 32 teams last year, proving that the refs don’t favor Mahomes and the Chiefs.

For those unhappy with how much officials influence games, their latest warning indicates that things won’t change in 2025.

According to the Associated Press, NFL officiating and rules analyst Walt Anderson said that the NFL refs will crack down on “unsportsmanlike gestures” to promote better sportsmanship throughout the league.

More from Anderson:

“Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis. The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It’s just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on. There are plenty of ways for players to be able to celebrate, and they come up with some very unique and often entertaining ways, so we want them to focus on those and not the inappropriate areas.”

NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent stressed a similar message as Coleman in a video sent to all 32 clubs, per the AP:

“There’s no place in the game to be standing over your opponent.There’s no place in the game to have violent gestures. That’s not the game of football. We just have to play by the rules, respect your opponent, respect your teammates and play the game in between the whistles.”

Perhaps unhappy with their performances, three NFL refs were removed from their jobs and assigned to NCAA power conferences in April: line judge Robin DeLorenzo, umpire James Carter, and down judge Robert Richeson.

NFL Refs Need To “Enforce” Unsportsmanlike Conduct Consistently

NFL ref (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
If there’s one thing NFL fans want from their referees in 2025, it’s consistency with the calls.

Infractions like pass interference, holding, roughing the passer and false starts are never called consistently, hence the non-stop criticism against the officials. If the NFL wants to promote sportsmanship, fine. But the refs can’t let a player on Team X get away with a “violent” or “unsportsmanlike gesture”, then penalize player Z on the other team for something less serious.

Fans may not like the emphasis on greater sportsmanship while cutting back on taunting and other “unsportsmanlike” gestures. But they’ll come around and accept it if the officials enforce it fairly and consistently.