Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was the center of unwanted attention after his would-be third-down stop of the Los Angeles Rams was nullified by a controversial taunting penalty. Not only did Woolen give the Rams a new set of downs, star Rams receiver Puka Nacua got him beat for a long touchdown on the following snap.
Wide receiver/Hall monitor Davante Adams
made sure the official knew Woolen did something wrong.
The good news for Woolen is that the Seahawks won the NFC Championship Game anyway and are going to the Super Bowl. The bad news is that Woolen’s penalty cost him a little bit more than just the 15 yards and the ensuing backlash.
Woolen was the only played fined from either the AFC or NFC Championship Game. The $17,398 penalty is Riq’s third fine of the season, all for taunting. He was docked $11,593 for taunting late in Seattle’s Week 9 blowout win over the Washington Commanders, then another $17,389 in garbage time against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14. This taunting penalty was in a much more high-leverage situation but thankfully didn’t prove to be the turning point in the season.
Riq has since said sorry for the taunting, although maybe he needed to do a little more convincing when speaking with head coach Mike Macdonald, whose reaction of exasperation and frustration can be seen in this clip.
