Amid the NFL's crackdown on violent gestures Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive tackle Vita Vea appeared to mimic a sniper crawl after sacking Kirk Cousins ​​in Thursday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The incident occurred in the fourth quarter on 3rd-and-5 when the Falcons were in the red zone.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, #18, defends against Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea, #50, during the first half of an NFL football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Vea broke through the pack and laid off cousins at the 28-yard line for a 9-yard loss.

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Immediately after the play, Vea crawled on the floor before celebrating with a gesture that appeared to imitate a gunshot. In contrast, the celebration did not result in any penalties New York Jets Wide receiver Allen Lazard, who received a costly 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for a similar celebration on Sunday.

Lazard, 28, linked to Aaron Rodgers on a 12-yard pass in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Broncos. The play would have resulted in a new set of downs, but while he was on the turf he appeared to make a rifle-like motion that resulted in a penalty.

Lazard said he expects a fine from the NFL in addition to the penalty, but defended his celebration on Wednesday.

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“It is very unfortunate that I am a victim of this situation, but it is what it is. It’s part of it.” the NFL, and it's part of the entertainment factor.

He continued: “It’s a very stupid thing.”

Allen Lazard, number 10 of the New York Jets, celebrates a first down in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos but was penalized for the reaction on September 29, 2024 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce apparently agreed, saying on an episode of the “New Heights” podcast that the request was “subtle” and could be interpreted as a reference to a first down.

“If you want to punish the guy for it after the game, whatever. This is on the NFL because they want to protect their league, but I think it's absolutely ridiculous that a guy is on the ground pointing his finger at getting a first down. “We're going that direction” or what Whatever he does, I just think it’s too much and it affects the game in the wrong way.”

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Several players were fined for similar celebrations this year.

The NFL has a policy against “violent gestures.” It falls under unsportsmanlike conduct and is described as “any violent gesture or action that is sexually suggestive or offensive.”

Vita Vea, #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, stands on the sidelines before an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

If called on the field, it results in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down if committed by a defensive player.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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