What is the ‘nose wipe’ celebration? NFL penalizes the conduct, deeming it a “violent gesture”

The NFL has outlawed the 'nose wipe' celebration, made popular by rapper Young Thug.

According to Billboard, ESPN NFL analyst Benjamin Solak took to X on Monday night to share a screenshot from the league’s rules report that was recently issued to teams. It stated that the celebration is now considered "unsportsmanlike" and will result in a 15-yard penalty for all teams who engage in it.

The “nose wipe” celebration has been made popular by rappers Young Thug and Future, who have all referenced the celebration in their songs. According to Fox Sports, the gesture references a gang signal and is typically done after a big play.

According to Pro Football Talk, “the nose wipe is a gang sign associated with the Bloods, indicating someone is untrustworthy.” It has now been placed in the “violent gesture” category, right next to the throat slash and lewd acts, among others.

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Everything we know about the nose wipe celebration as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb says he has more in store for us:

The exact rule, which falls under prohibited acts laid out in Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(d), reads as follows:

"Any violent gesture, which shall include but not be limited to a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the "nose wipe" gesture, or an act that is s*xually suggestive or offensive."

According to The Score, the new change in rules comes amid the NFL enacting several new changes for this year's campaign. The owners of the league will now convene to deliberate on other potential rules that will impact kickoffs, playoff seeding, and more. The meeting is scheduled for the end of March.

Several players, including wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, have used the gesture as a celebration several times, just after first downs and touchdowns. He has since taken to X to reveal that instead of the now-banned celebration, he has "plenty in mind."

Lamb is a one-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler. Fox News has reported that he totaled 101 catches for 1,194 yards, as well as six touchdowns in 15 games the previous season. However, he sat out the last two games of the regular season, citing a shoulder injury.

Per the New York Post, during his 81 games with the Cowboys, the wide receiver has posted 6,339 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns, coupled with 388 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

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CeeDee Lamb has been using the nose wipe gesture as a celebration since he was drafted back in 2020.