Xavier Worthy celebration, explained: Why Chiefs WR got unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after Christmas-themed taunt

The Chiefs took on the Steelers on Christmas Day, and both teams were in a giving mood early in the first quarter.

Xavier Worthy has already had some highlight reel plays as a rookie, and he got the scoring started on Christmas against a flimsy Steelers' defense. Worthy lined up in the backfield next to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and after running out to the left, he caught a pass and scored a seven-yard touchdown. 

However, Worthy gave a point back to the Steelers because of his celebration. It looked initially like he was doing a Grinch impression with Isiah Pacheco, causing the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. However. the Netflix broadcast showed a replay from a different angle and it became clear why Worthy got flagged.

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Xavier Worthy Christmas TD celebration, explained

Worthy came into Week 17 tied for the team lead with five touchdowns. Kansas City frequently gets him involved out of the backfield to utilize his speed. On a 2nd-and-4 play from the Steelers' 7-yard line on the Chiefs' opening drive, Worthy slipped past the defense for a short touchdown catch in the first quarter.

Xavier Worthy gets the Christmas scoring started ‼️#KCvsPIT on @Netflix pic.twitter.com/MzEGMz0p4K

Afterward, the wide receiver and his teammate combined for a holiday-themed celebration. Worthy was shoveling presents and Pacheco was miming like he was catching them, and then put the bag of gifts over his shoulder and ran away like you would see from the Grinch.

A replay from the Netflix broadcast showed a different angle. After Pacheco runs away with the gifts, Worthy is seen lifting up the side of his jersey, kind of like when people in movies or TV shows lift one side of their shirt to reveal a gun. The NFL has been big on flagging weapons-related celebrations. Whether that's what Worthy was actually doing is up for debate, but that's how the refs saw it, resulting in the 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The Grinch part of Xavier Worthy’s TD celebration is not why a flag was thrown. Official apparently thought this other part implied a weapon. #KCvsPIT #NFLonNetflix pic.twitter.com/5Vvx4uTTOC

Both Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes protested the call, but to no avail. As a result, the Chiefs; extra-point attempt was moved back 15 yards, and Harrison Butker was wide right.

It remains to be seen if that point matters, but it certainly doesn't help the Chiefs as they attempt to lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed. 

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