WATCH: Boston College got flagged for the most awful unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in history
This might have been the worst unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the history of football.
During the Pinstripe Bowl between Iowa and Boston College on Wednesday evening, Eagles defensive lineman Noa Merritt broke through the offensive line and was able to bring down Hawkeyes quarterback Nate Stanley for a 12-yard loss. Naturally, Merritt had a simple celebration after his accomplishment.
Showing that he was having a slight amount of fun, officials penalized Merritt for the celebration (if you can actually call it that), giving Iowa a first down.
Here’s the play that was penalized.
Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on number 94 for being too excited to play in bowl game. #Pinstripebowl pic.twitter.com/RH4Vs46cYX
— Matt Schick (@ESPN_Schick) December 27, 2017
Soon, high-fives, clapping and possibly smiling will be outlawed in college football, too.
Iowa went on to score a touchdown on that possession as a result.