Beyoncé has found herself in hot water for her NFL halftime show.
The ‘Halo’ hitmaker took to the stage on Christmas Day (December 25) at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, halfway through the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans game.
The Ravens went on to triumph and won 31 – 2.
Elsewhere Kansas City Chiefs won their game against Pittburgh Steelers 29 – 10 in yet another victory for the popular football team. The Chiefs also won this year’s Super Bowl and defeated the San Francisco 49ers.
But away from the football itself, Houston-born Beyoncé got people talking with her highly anticipated halftime performance.
The Grammy Award-winner sang songs from her latest album Cowboy Carter, and invited Post Malone and Shaboozey up on stage with her.
However, she sparked some controversy during the show…
What did Beyoncé do?
While performing her halftime show on December 25, Beyoncé made a gun gesture with her fingers and people were quick to take to social media to air their grievances.
“Queen Bey’s tone-deaf finger gun display at Netflix’s Christmas game highlights celebrity privilege,” someone said.
Noting that NFL players get fined for making such a gesture, a different person fumed: “One set of rules for celebrities and another for everyone.”
Why is the gesture banned?
The NFL sees gun fingers as a ‘violent gesture’, something which it prohibits players from doing.
The matter has been discussed a lot of late after player’s recent fines – New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard being one example. But the NFL insisted that such rules have been ‘longstanding’.
When asked about Lazard’s fine in particular, a league spokesperson told NBC Sports: “Not commenting on a specific player, but that’s been a longstanding rule as part of the reference to any violent gesture. It’s also part of the players’ manual.”
‘Violent gestures’ such as gun fingers is classed as a form of unsportsmanlike conduct.
The manual reads, as per New York Times: “There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.
“Such acts specifically include, among others: (a) Throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even though no contact is made. (b) Using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League. (c) Using baiting or taunting acts or words that may engender ill will between teams. (d) Any violent gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.”
How much do players get fined?
The fines can prove quite hefty and go into the thousands. Lazard, for example, was slapped with a $14,069 fine.
Elsewhere Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and tight end David Njoku were both forced to pay $13,569 last year for a gun-themed celebration.
NBC Sports reported in October that nine violent-gesture fines have been issued in the 2024 season.
