Two Taunting Flags Eject An NFL Player. Neither One Has To Be Flagrant.
Rule 12, Section 4 of the NFL rulebook disqualifies a player automatically on his second taunting, abusive-language or punch-throwing foul in the same game.
An NFL ejection usually rests on an official judging a single act flagrant. The rulebook also carries an automatic version that removes the judgment entirely.
The rule
Rule 12, Section 4, Article 1 says a player or non-player personnel will be automatically disqualified if that person is penalized twice in the same game for committing one of the listed unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, or a combination of them.
The three fouls
- 01throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even though no contact is made
- 02using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League
- 03using baiting or taunting acts or words that may engender ill will between teams
The fouls do not have to be judged by the official to be flagrant for the automatic disqualification to occur.
What does not save a player
The disqualification stands regardless of whether the opponent accepts or declines the penalty. Neither foul needs to be ruled flagrant. And any foul of this kind that occurs during the pregame warm-up period carries over into the game.
The yardage
Each of these fouls is unsportsmanlike conduct on its own, a loss of 15 yards from the succeeding spot if the ball is dead or the previous spot if the ball was in play. Nothing in Section 4 supersedes an official's discretion to judge a single act flagrant and disqualify a player for it.
Quick answers
- How many taunting penalties get an NFL player ejected?
- Two in the same game. A player is automatically disqualified on a second foul for taunting, abusive or threatening language, or throwing a punch, forearm or kick, in any combination.
- Does a declined penalty still count toward an NFL ejection?
- Yes. The rulebook disqualifies the player regardless of whether the opponent accepts or declines the penalty.
- Do pregame fouls count?
- Yes. Any of these fouls that occurs during the pregame warm-up period carries over into the game.
Sources
- 2026 Official Playing Rules of the National Football League (Rule 12-4-1 and Rule 12-3-1 penalty)
- The Official NFL Rulebook, NFL Football Operations
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