Stefon Diggs scored his first touchdown with the Washington Commanders on Sunday, then immediately found himself flagged for a celebration that may have changed the game.
Diggs caught a 10-yard touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, cutting Washington's deficit to 17-15 after the Commanders had trailed 17-9 with 10 minutes left. But after the score, Diggs used the goal post as a prop and was penalized. The rule has been in place since 2006, when using the goal post as a prop became illegal.
What Diggs said after the penalty
Diggs acknowledged that he knew he had crossed a line the moment he grabbed the post. “As soon as I wrapped my arms around it I was like this: 'Oh I forgot,'” he said. He also pointed out that celebrations like that used to be allowed, adding, “Back in the day, you know, I've been playing a long time, you used to could do that.”
He later said he needs to stay current on the rules. “So, update on the rules and sometimes when you've been in the game a long time, uh, I got to be better,” Diggs said.
Why the Stefon Diggs Penalty mattered
The timing made the penalty more than a routine post-touchdown flag. Diggs' score at least gave the Commanders a chance to tie the game, but the penalty added an extra setback in a tight finish. The article says the celebration may have cost Washington the game, which is why the penalty drew so much attention.
It also came in just Diggs' first touchdown with his new team and his fourth team in four years, a reminder that even veteran players can get caught by rules that have been in place for years. Diggs entered the league in 2015, so he has been around long enough to know the standard — and, by his own admission, long enough to occasionally need a reminder.
For Washington, the sequence was simple: Diggs made a big play, the Commanders cut into the lead, and then the celebration brought an immediate penalty. The touchdown still mattered, but the extra yardage and the missed opportunity around it made the moment feel even bigger.
