This Might Be the Weirdest NFL Penalty of the Year

Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks did his team a huge favor Sunday when he recovered a New Orleans Saints fumble and returned it for a touchdown. In his jubilation after the play, Sports Illustrated reports, Thomas ran over and hugged side judge Alex Kemp. (See the video here.) Kemp threw a flag immediately, calling Thomas for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that was assessed on the kickoff. Dan Hanzus at NFL.com speculates Thomas may have been the latest victim of an NFL crackdown on on-field celebration, but it's also possible he may have simply invaded this referee's personal space. (More NFL stories.)