JJ Watt weighs in on NFL penalty taunting, insists: 'Let these guys show their personality'

It was three years ago when the NFL went to its officials and reminded them to make sure they raise flags when they see taunts on the field.

Four weeks into this season, according to Pro Football Talk, the NFL is nudging referees again as there is a “point of clarification” on what is classified as a taunt after issuing fines for it despite no flags being thrown.

However, what constitutes mockery appears to be a gray area for some officiating teams, and many current and former players aren't a fan of how inconsistent the calls can be.

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Former Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt is in attendance as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

While future Hall of Fame defensive player JJ Watt understands that officials have to walk a fine line with these taunting penalties, he wishes the players' personalities were showcased more.

After all, this is football and when the competitive spirit is in full swing, it can lead to jokes and trash talk.

“I think there's certainly a line that can be drawn, and guys can be on either side of that line,” Watt told Fox News Digital, also discussing his own competition with Old El Paso's “Watt Can Taco.” brothers TJ and Derek. ” “I feel that a little more celebration and enjoyment and even a bit of trash talk should be allowed. I mean, it's a competitive game, it's at the highest level. Emotions are high, and part of the fun is the emotions of it all.”

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Watt recently commented on a Week 4 taunting call against Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was warned for it after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants. Lamb was seen staring down a Giants defender and throwing the ball in his general direction as the flag came in.

Watt didn't think that was necessary.

“It’s not like he hit it on his head or anything,” he said. “It's not like it hit the guy at all, so I'm like, 'Yeah, well, he had a little bit of feeling. It wasn't anything crazy, he just scored that long touchdown. Is that so?' Do we really need some time to raise the flag?'

“Those are the cases where it’s kind of like – I get it, that’s how the referees are taught. You don't want it to escalate into something bigger. But let's have a little more. At the end of the day, this is an entertainment business.” Let's let these guys show their personality, as long as it doesn't involve physical interaction with an opponent or a gun celebration.

CBS analyst JJ Watt on the field before Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Where Watt believes the NFL gets it right is imitating guns shooting.

“Well, the gun celebrations, that’s for sure,” he said. “They’re going to punish it every time, they’re going to flag it every time. That's just a player who doesn't care or doesn't really want to follow the rules. We all know you can’t fake a gun out there,” and I’m okay with that.

A total of five taunt penalties have been assessed this season, two of which were against the Washington Commanders. However, a player like Philadelphia Eagles safety CJ Gardner-Johnson has already been fined three times in two games despite never receiving a flag for taunting.

But with this “clarification” from the league, fans may be about to see even more laundry on the field as players go back and forth with one another.

Former Houston Texans player JJ Watt speaks to the crowd after being inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

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Watt just hopes the flags are justified – just like the rest of the players.

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