NFL banning throat slash gesture

The NFL is banning the new fad among NFL players - a throat slash gesture now used as a way of taunting an opponent or celebrating a big play.

The NFL is banning the new fad among NFL players - a throat slash gesture now used as a way of taunting an opponent or celebrating a big play.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that a letter would be sent on Tuesday to the 31 teams telling them that the gesture was now illegal.

Aiello said that if it is done by a player on the field, it will be deemed taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct and be subject to a 15-yard penalty. If it's done in the bench area, the player will be subject to a fine by the league.

Some of the NFL's elite players have been caught on camera making the gesture, including Brett Favre of Green Bay, Warren Sapp of Tampa Bay and Keyshawn Johnson of the New York Jets.

Favre, who was penalized for making the gesture in the face of Detroit's Robert Bailey after throwing a touchdown pass on Sunday, said he did it in retaliation for Bailey doing it in the teams' first meeting.