Predict as negatively as you wanted before today’s season opener for the Chicago Bears, and I still don’t think you could have POSSIBLY come up with the day’s low.
In the waning moments of the first half, the Bears were, mercifully, lined up to get some points on a Cairo Santos field goal. Not a lock on a day with the ground as sloppy and wet as today, but hey, maybe.
And in service of making that happen, punter/holder Trenton Gill brought out a towel to help prep the field for his kicker. The problem? Apparently it is a 15-YARD UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT penalty to wipe down the field and toss your towel:
Give me a break. I mean, a rule is a rule, I guess, but that is some absurdly harsh stuff right there. And what a ridiculous freaking rule, to boot.
… and it’s possible it’s not even the rule! Look at this:
So, maybe that shoulda just been a warning? Or maybe 5 yards? It’s pretty hard to tell, given the explanation given by the official.
All I know is that he was DEEPLY OFFENDED by the Bears holder wiping down the field that was earlier deluged by a monsoon.