NFL penalizes Redskins for 'shooting a bow and arrow'

We’re not sure if this actually makes the list of “top 5” penalty calls ever, but it’s pretty funny … and made funnier that it’s a Redskins player who is penalized for “shooting a bow and arrow”:

Top 5 penalty call ever.https://t.co/xVQv6If3Kn

— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) October 2, 2016

According to NFL rules expert Mike Pereira, the NFL considers the gesture the same as shooting a gun. Pereira also says Josh Norman and teams were warned about it:

Josh Norman was penalized for simulating shooting a bow and arrow because it IS a foul and is not allowed. pic.twitter.com/ZlKrrgNWYr

— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 2, 2016

Viewers, however, were pretty shocked at the call:

https://twitter.com/CamCleveland/status/782667054004527104

Wait….you can't shoot a bow and arrow in the NFL?! That's an unsportsmanlike penalty? I mean, I get the throat slash gesture but c'mon!

— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) October 2, 2016

"Shooting a bow and arrow" is now an NFL penalty. SMDH.

— Ben White (@morningmoneyben) October 2, 2016

And don’t give them any ideas:

you can't do a bow and arrow now? nfl calling for bow control?

— bomani (@bomani_jones) October 2, 2016

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Editor’s note: We’ve corrected a typo in the headline.