The Dallas Cowboys were called for a strange penalty that kind of caught everybody off guard in the first quarter of their game against the Packers.
Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler was called for unsportsmanlike conduct because he ran out to the Cowboys’ huddle, and then ran back to the sideline without participating in the play.
The penalty cost the Cowboys 15 yards and took away a 22-yard completion, so the Cowboys ended up having to punt.
Luckily for Butler, the penalty is not a part of the league’s two unsportsmanlike penalties and a disqualification rule. For it to fall under that, Butler would have had to done one of the following:
1. Throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even though no contact is made.
2. Using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.
3. Using baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams.
The penalty was big, and on a big stage like this, the Cowboys can’t afford them against a red hot Packers team.