Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Opinion
  • News
  • Features
  • Comment
  • Store
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Free eNewsletter
    • eNewsletter SignUp
    • View past eNewsletters
  • Toggle search form
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin Civil Rights
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race American Arabs
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections American Arabs
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12 American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon American Arabs
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land American Arabs
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Appeal of Mediterranean foods continue to rise among consumers Culture
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Activism
  • Shadin Maali has been named Emgage’s new Senior Director of Growth and Operations
    Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach Activism
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced Dr. Manal Fakhoury has been elected to the position of Chair of the National Board of Directors, and that attorneys Spojmie Nasiri of California and John Floyd of Texas have joined the organization’s National Board.
    CAIR Announces Dr. Manal Fakhoury as New Board Chair, New Board Members Spojmie Nasiri and John Floyd American Arabs
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC: Honor Dr. King Day with Civility, Unity, and Action American Arabs
  • Citgo Gas Station and Quik Mart at 3759 W. Chicago Ave in Chicago ordered closed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot because a street gang member with an AK-47 killed someone in front of the store. Only Arab and Muslim stores are being closed by the Mayor
    When Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot targeted Arab businesses in 2021 and 2022 Activism
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast Arab News
  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols interviewed on live Arab American radio in Detroit with host Ray Hanania Friday Dec. 9, 2022
    Nichols discusses need to improve Arab-Black relations in Chicagoland American Arabs
  • Voting sticker issued to voters in Cook County elections in 2016. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Gov. Pritzker Announces Six Appointments to Boards and Commissions — no Arabs included American Arabs

Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim

Posted on September 30, 2014November 30, 2020 By rayhanania 2 Comments on Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

Loading

Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim

By Ray Hanania

Husain Abdullah, NFL Photograph
Husain Abdullah, NFL Photograph

You can jump around after you make a touch down. You can do the chicken dance wide-knee-walk after you make a touch down. You can even run with the football high in the air in one hand yelling and screaming after you make a touchdown. You can even get down on one knee, make the sign of the cross in a Christian demonstration of your faith in God.

But according to the NFL, you can’t pray “like a Muslim.” That’s the message given when the NFL punished a Muslim football player who got down on his knees and prayed in gratitude for his goal.

Ziyad Taste of the Middle East

Husain Ibn Muhammed Abdullah, a Muslim American football safety who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League, scored a touchdown after intercepting a pass from New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Abdullah, who previously played for the Minnesota Vikings and was drafted from Washington State University in 2008,  ran the ball back 39 yards in the fourth quarter of Chief’s 41-14 rout of the Patriots.

It was a cute coincidence, too, since Abdullah’s team number is 39, also. A great moment to celebrate.

Upon reaching the end zone for the touchdown, Abdullah, a practicing Muslim, slid down onto his knees. He bent his head down to the ground touching his forehead to the end zone turf and prayed. The way Muslims pray. It was just a moment. And it was no different than when Christian football players pause to make the Sign of the Cross, or to clasp their hands in prayer, the way Christians pray.

But Abdullah was immediately punished and flagged for “unsportsmanlike conduct” by the NFL’s referees. The Chiefs were immediately penalized 15 yards and had to re-do the play. The NFL referee’s call was specifically for “unsportsmanlike conduct; going to the ground.”

Apparently the NFL has a rule to prevent players from making excessive fools of themselves by doing stupid things to celebrate a touchdown or achievement.

It’s called Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (d) of the NFL rulebook. That rule prohibits “Prolonged or excessive celebrations or demonstrations by an individual player. Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground. A celebration or demonstration shall be deemed excessive or prolonged if a player continues to celebrate or demonstrate after a warning from an official.”

I am not sure a prayer counts as an excessive celebration. Abdullah’s “prayer” took less than 3 seconds. Maybe 4 seconds as he knelt down in his red Chief’s uniform to bow his head to the ground.

It was something Abdullah said he planned to do, and I think that is the real issue. The fact that he is Muslim and wears it on his uniform bothers many Americans who hate Muslims.

The Muslim American Football safetyhad  told a reporter for the Kansas City Star, Tod Palmer, that he had made a promise to himself that he’d show his respect if he ever scored a touchdown. “If I get a pick, I’m going to prostrate before God in the End Zone,” he said.

The NFL is claiming that Abdullah was not penalized for praying as a Muslim, but for “sliding” on both knees. (And the penalty was later revoked after much protest.)

Right away, sports writers made comparisons to Tim Tebow, the Christian football player who frequently prays to God when he makes a touchdown. He’s never penalized. He is admired.

The news media viewed Tim Tebow being Christian was a boring story, basically “keep it to yourself.” There is a bias against overly religious Christians, too. But Tebow was never penalized for it like Abdullah. The comparison was only made by Christian activists who are angry that sportswriters celebrate NFL players and athletes who are Gay but frown on Christian players. In Abdullah’s case, though, the Tebow Factor went one step further. Click here to read a good analysis of the Tebow-Christian controversy.

Abdullah’s mistake may have been telling the media he planned to pray to “Allah” when he scored, lighting the fuse on the growing anti-Muslim racism that consumes many Americans. Yes, many American are anti-Muslim. They hate Muslims. And you don’t have to be Muslim to be hated. He also put a spotlight on himself when he missed the 2012 season to travel, along with his brother, former NFL safety Hamza Abdullah, to visit Mecca during the Hajj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage. And his interview in which he said that Faith comes first, must have upset many Americans consumed with anti-Muslim hatred. (Read story.)

OH MY GOD. A MUSLIM IN FOOTBALL!

Recently on my Facebook Page, several of my 4,107 “Friends” openly said they “Hate” Muslims when I posted and criticized a story that reported that Michelle Obama was not the real mother of Sasha and Malia.

I know. You are pausing and asking yourself, what the heck does that have to do with being Muslim? Well, it’s a new mix of anti-Black racism and anti-Muslim hatred. And typical American ignorance. Americans are the most educated people in the world but the least educated about the world, I always like to explain. Many Americans “hate” that I defend Muslims and think I am Muslim. So they target me and hate me, too. Even though I am Christian and my Mother wa sborn iN Bethlehem. When I wrote that in response to a Muslim hater, the writer said, “Bethlehem isn’t a Christian city. It is a Muslim city. It has nothing to do with Christianity. I told you some Americans are stupid!

It’s not ironic. It’s not unintentional. The anti-Muslim hatred that dominates America made the Abdullah penalty inevitable. It was going to happen.

Abdullah is African American Muslim. Of the 7 million Muslims in America, the largest majority are African American. Arabs make up only about 22 percent of the nation’s Muslims. Just FYI — there are 4.5 million Arabs in America, a number built through painstaking extrapolation and estimations because the U.S. Census refuses to count Arabs and Muslims. Of that number, 60 percent or more than 3 million Arabs are actually Christian. Yes, Christian Arabs are the largest majority of Arabs in America.

The NFL did not immediately release a statement on the penalty. They’re like many other Americans and only deal with issues of unfairness when enough people scream. Even if every Muslim and Christian Arab in America screamed, that’s less than 11 million people in a nation of 300 million.

The NFL should immediately apologize for the call and the referee or referees who made the call should be penalized instead.

It’s not just about religious freedom or fairness since Jews and Christian football players who Thank God for their success are not penalized. It’s about bigotry that insinuates itself into the core of America, corrupting its essence as the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.”

Be Brave America. Do the right thing. Tell Muslim haters that they are not just “Muslim Haters” at all. They are just haters. And this country doesn’t want haters in its ranks.

Enough with the Muslim Haters, the racism in America and the ugliness that tarnishes America’s great history.

Insha-Allah — God Willing, as Muslims would say.

(Ray Hanania is an award winning former Chicago City Hall reporter and columnist. He is the managing editor of The Arab Daily News www.TheArabDailyNews.com.)

Related articles
  • Football referees penalize Muslim player for post-touchdown prayer
  • Chiefs Husain Abdullah penalized for touchdown prayer
  • Husain Abdullah was penalized for… praying?

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
rayhanania
rayhanania
Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News
RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

Click here to send Ray Hanania email.

Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter
rayhanania
Latest posts by rayhanania (see all)
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues - March 18, 2023
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC - March 13, 2023
  • Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan - February 22, 2023

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
American Arabs, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, News, religion, Sports, Video Tags:Abdullah, Hamza Abdullah, Husain Abdullah, Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Star, Muslims, National Football League, NFL, Praying, Tim Tebow, Tom Brady

Post navigation

Previous Post: Freedom of religion might revive Arab Spring
Next Post: AHRC welcomes the 26th Global Report on Fighting Impunity

Related Posts

  • Arab Radio: Trump and the post Obama presidency American Arabs
  • Protests in Tunisia, 2014. Copyright (C) 2014 Abdennour Toumi, All Rights Reserved. Tunisia has hope
    Ray of Hope from Tunis, despite criticism Abdennour Toumi
  • Official photo of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein courtesy of Wikipedia
    35 US Senators urge Trump to restore Palestinian aid Activism
  • New film explores challenges facing American Arabs American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    Absolute best Facebook Page on Middle East food American Arabs
  • ISIS will not negotiate with Jordan to free captured pilot. Ali Younes

More Related Articles

Finding the elusive Moral High Ground in Israel-Gaza War Arab World
Israel, one of the only countries refusing to help Syrian refugees Arab World
Former Illinois State Superintendent of Education and former Deputy Undersecretary of Education in the United States Department of Education, Dr. Michael J Bakalis, presented the philosophy, structure, and unique opportunity of a new high school model to a group of interested parents and citizens on Thursday evening at the school’s proposed location near 63rd street and Harlem Avenue in Chicago. A new high school model for the 21st century American Arabs
Eileen Fleming's blog posts and the posts of other writers at The Arab Daily News are often reprinted and shared by other American Arab newspapers including in newspapers like Al Mustaqbal (The Future News) which is based in Chicago, Illinois The Arab Daily News articles picked up by many newspapers American Arabs
Jordanian government arrest of anti-ISIS Salafist leader is wrong, might help ISIS, attorney says Ali Younes
National Muslim groups challenge 1915 Armenian massacre Activism

Comments (2) on “Video: Kansas City Chiefs Abdullah penalized for being Muslim”

  1. ptownelite says:
    September 30, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    If he wants to look like a moron and pray thats his perogative. The fine had nothing to do with him being muslim so try that slander job somewhere else Ray.

    Log in to Reply
  2. George W. Bush says:
    September 30, 2014 at 10:27 am

    He should have beed beheaded!!! Stupid religious idiot….Death to Allah!!!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • راى حنانيا. Ray Hanania
    Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues
    March 18, 2023
  • Ghassan Rubeiz
    Two parallel uprisings in Israel
    March 11, 2023
  • Racist anti-Arab Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot poses with Edwards Realty President Ramzi Hassan posted on Facebook on posted June 3, 2022 right after the second press conference demanding that Lightfoot end her discrimination.
    Illinois Review skewers Mayor Lightfoot ally Ramzi Hassan
    February 22, 2023
  • Tiktok.com/@RayHanania
    Israeli-push behind effort to ban Tiktok in the United States
    January 19, 2023
  • 300x300-ZIYAD02.jpg
  • 300x300-RAMADAN02.jpg
  • 300x300-ZIYAD01.jpg
  • 300x300-RAMADAN01.jpg
  • NEWS
  • Piotr Hofmanski, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague
    International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin
    March 19, 2023
  • Orand First Responders candidates Matthew G. Rafferty and William Bonnar Jr.
    Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race
    March 17, 2023
  • AHRC Executive Director Imad Hamad
    AHRC’s Humanitarian Mission to Lebanon
    February 22, 2023
  • Paul Vallas addressing the Arab American Democratic Club on Feb. 12, 2023
    AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections
    February 21, 2023
  • NEWSWIRE
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Appeal of Mediterranean foods continue to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118
    February 9, 2023
  • Shadin Maali has been named Emgage’s new Senior Director of Growth and Operations
    Emgage hires former Illinois Congressional aide to help expand their reach
    February 8, 2023
  • Arab Democratic Club Feb 12, 2023 Forum & Brunch flier
    Arab Democrats host forum for Chicago and suburban candidates Feb. 12
    January 18, 2023

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

First Installment of the Property Tax

POPULAR POSTS

  • Two parallel uprisings in Israel Two parallel uprisings in Israel By Ghassan Michel Rubeiz Israel is currently shaken by two parallel revolts. In what seems ... posted on March 11, 2023
  • Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Suzan Atallah seeks election to Palos Park School District 118 Currently living in Orland Park with her supportive husband and ... posted on February 9, 2023
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues Call me Arab, don't call me MENA writer argues Columnist Ray Hanania argues that the term MENA to describe Arab ... posted on March 18, 2023
  • Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race The Arab American Democratic Club released its official endorsements ... posted on March 17, 2023
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC In an effort to keep dialogue with government agencies, AHRC held a Meet ... posted on March 13, 2023
  • AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections AADC releases its endorsements for the April 4, 2023 non-partisan elections ENDORSEMENTS APRIL 4, 2023 The Arab American Democratic Club ... posted on February 21, 2023

Recent Posts

  • International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin
  • Call me Arab, don’t call me MENA writer argues
  • Arab Democrats endorse Rafferty and Bonnar in Orland Fire District race
  • AHRC Holds Meet and Greet with MDOC
  • Two parallel uprisings in Israel
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Glory to God int he Lowest by Author Rev. Donald Wagner
    Book Review: Glory to God in the Lowest: journeys to an unholy land
    February 18, 2023
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Hussam al-Mayman, The Mayman Show, podcast Arab News
    Arab News launches third season of The Mayman Show podcast
    December 15, 2022
  • Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    Interlink 2022 Cookbooks Make the Best Holiday Gifts
    October 24, 2022
  • Comedian Ramy Youssef courtesy of his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ramysfaceboo/
    “Ramy” cable series melds Arab world reality with every day American life
    October 22, 2022
  • The Ray Hanania Radio Show Live Wed 5 PM EST in Detroit, Washington DC, Ontario and on Thursday in Chicago. Watch the program live at Facebook.com/ArabNews
    Second Season of “The Ray Hanania Show” Arab American radio launches April 6
    April 4, 2022
  • American Arab CHamber President HassanNijem accepts the Proclamation from Chicago Ald. Roderick Sawyer at the Chamber dinner March 30, 2022
    Chicagoland celebrates Arab American Heritage Month
    March 31, 2022
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at Gab.com, MeWe.com and IDobbinate.com, the alternatives to Facebook and Twitter Censorship.

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2023 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme