Merry Christmas… But it might not be a merrier one for Xavier Worthy, as he just received a penalty for something he should not have done. I mean, being a pro player comes with certain restrictions and it is a given by now. No point fighting over a penalty that has been given.

Something similar followed suit after Worthy decided to celebrate the Chiefs’ lead over the Steelers in the festive clash. But… His ‘tucking the weapon’ action did not go unnoticed. And now, he’s under fire! Well, if you are Patrick Mahomes’ WR you’ve got to do better than that…

See, Kansas City had just forced a quick three-and-out and marched down the field, sealing it with a slick seven-yard touchdown grab by Worthy. So, in hindsight, there was no need for that. But does any sight work when you are hungry for dubs like the Chiefs are?

Alas, the celebration. Worthy mimicked tossing presents into a bag, a lighthearted nod to the festive spirit. Sounds harmless, right? Well, the refs disagreed, slapping him with a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct and pushing the extra-point attempt back 15 yards.

While it may seem like a rugged decision, another angle showed exactly why the refs were on to Worthy’s case pronto. As he walked off, he pulled up his shirt near his hip, imitating a move that looked like holstering a firearm. Uh-oh! That’s where the league drew the line… and that’s where the fans see it as an unnecessary move coming from a pro player.

Netizens lash out at Xavier Worthy for a silly celebration

The NFL doesn’t play around when it comes to gun-related gestures, and Xavier Worthy found that out the hard way. His quick “holstering” action after a touchdown on Christmas Day landed him in hot water. Honestly, a penalty for a fleeting moment of flair might feel overblown. But the league’s been crystal clear on this stuff. The Chiefs fans, though? They had thoughts. One backtracked too quickly. After questioning the ref’s decision, they wrote: “Nevermind, it’s a penalty all day long.”

Fines have been raining down all season—just ask Ja’Marr Chase or even Malik Nabers. So yeah, Worthy getting flagged wasn’t exactly shocking. Another didn’t hold back, writing: “Dumb penalty by Worthy. Gotta know better.” That’s the thing—by now, players should know where the line is. Yet, Worthy crossed it, and fans weren’t about to let it slide.

Some reactions were even harsher. One comment read: “Xavier Worthy may be a dumba–,” while another quipped, “Why is Worthy flexing a g-n TD celebration on Christmas 😂😂😂😂.” Fans couldn’t resist poking fun at the timing—after all, it was Christmas, not the Wild West.

And finally, the blunt truth: “Oh yeah, Worthy earned that flag lol.” Like it or not, the league’s stance is firm, and players like Drake London and Allen Lazard have paid hefty fines for similar moves. Worthy’s penalty? Just another example of why the NFL isn’t letting this slide.