Referee penalises US football player for thanking God after touchdown

LONDON - An American football referee has caused controversy after he penalised a high school player for thanking God after he scored a touchdown.

Tumwater High’s Ronnie Hastie had got down on one knee and pointed to the sky as a way of celebrating for scoring in the game, something which he had been doing all season without any sort of retribution.

“It’s just something I do every time I get in the end zone. To honour my Lord because I play for him. I give him the glory because he’s the one that gives me the strength,” the Daily Mail quoted him as saying.

But the referee at the game in Washington immediately took offence at his actions and hit the young player with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The organisation that governs high school football in the state, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), has a rule that says players can’t bring attention to themselves.

And in the opinion of the ref, Hastie, who has decided to alter his celebration in future to escape the wrath of the officials, was in breach of the rule.

The WIAA executive director Mike Colbrese says he won’t judge the call. But he says the association is reviewing and discussing it with the state officials’ organisation. (ANI)