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NFL clarifies rule on sexual dances: 'If it looks like it, it probably is'

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino clarified the rules on excessive celebrations in a video shared with the media Thursday.

In addition to clarifying specifically what is and isn't allowed, Blandino discussed how referees would be enforcing the rule on "sexually suggestive" dancing that has taken over the spotlight in recent weeks.

"If it looks like it, it probably is, and we're trying to give our officials some consistent guidelines," Blandino said in the video, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.

While things like non-sexually suggestive dancing and bowing to the crowd are allowed, anything that mimics a violent act and using the ball as a prop are still outlawed.

Blandino also outlined the NFL's "slippery slope" approach to enforcing these infractions, claiming the celebrations need to be nipped in the bud for player safety.

"Believe me, if we let this go," Blandino said, "it will continue to grow and certain players will continue to try to outdo each other, and then it leads to other things. Players stomping on logos, and players hitting those players stomping on logos."

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