This is apparently an unsportsmanlike penalty on Brice Butler: https://t.co/zceAkuw2zT pic.twitter.com/AOI7lLWyxf
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— SB Nation (@SBNation) January 15, 2017
So this was a strange one.
With the Dallas Cowboys driving against the Green Bay Packers on the first quarter of their game, Dallas wide receiver Brice Butler was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
It wasn't for excessive celebration or fighting with an opposing player, offenses you might identify with unsportsmanlike conduct.
No, he joined the huddle and then left the field without participating in the play. Here's an explanation:
The rule regarding illegal substitution says that if a sub enters and gets inside the numbers he must participate for play.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) January 15, 2017
Since the Cowboys has just completed a 22-yard pass play, that was called back, and the team was penalized 15 yards. That means Butler's miscue cost the Cowboys 37 yards.
Remember, NFL defenses relay on matchups, so this rule appears to be a fairness issue. You can't have players running in and out because defenses wouldn't know what to play.
Still the rule and penalty confused a whole lot of people.
Raise your hand if you've heard of that penalty before.
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) January 15, 2017
Not sure I've ever heard that penalty explanation before
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) January 15, 2017
That penalty call? #GBvsDAL pic.twitter.com/YffNkaTDK7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 15, 2017
