Why the Bears got a 15-yard penalty for using a towel on a field goal attempt vs. 49ers | Sporting News (2024)

Why the Bears got a 15-yard penalty for using a towel on a field goal attempt vs. 49ers | Sporting News (1)

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Don't forget to bring a towel?

The Bears haven't exactly looked like world-beaters in Week 1 vs. the 49ers, but it is Week 1, and weird things happen all the time in Week 1.

Case in point: Chicago was flagged for using a towel on a field goal attempt, something that's a big no-no in the NFL rulebook.

Ladies and gentlemen: “An illegal use of towel” penalty in Chicago.#SFvsCHI pic.twitter.com/JFnyaYs7QN

— Gridiron (@Gridiron) September 11, 2022

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The specific rule violated was Rule 5, Section 4, Article 6, which reads, in part: "Towels...must be attached to or tucked into the front waist of the pants...are prohibited from discarding on the playing field any loose towels or other materials used for wiping hands and the football."

Soldier Field had been pounded with heavy rains all throughout the day and game, leaving puddles of standing water riddling the field. Holder Trenton Gill appeared to pat down the area with a towel in preparation for kicker Cairo Santos, which is in violation of NFL rules.

Players may use hands to clear snow, water or other on-field impediments with their hands, according to the NFL rulebook, but may not use towels to do the same, under Rule 13 (Non-player conduct).

Towels may be used to wipe hands, but the towel must also be tucked into the uniform, as well. Discarding the towel may result in a penalty, but a much shorter, five-yard penalty.

The penalty knocked the Bears out of field goal range, so it was, in fact, a costly penalty.

With new turf coming to Soldier Field, the results weren't exactly positive early on. All eyes are on Arlington Park.

Author(s)

Why the Bears got a 15-yard penalty for using a towel on a field goal attempt vs. 49ers | Sporting News (3)

Joe Rivera is a senior content producer at The Sporting News and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater, Rutgers University.

Why the Bears got a 15-yard penalty for using a towel on a field goal attempt vs. 49ers | Sporting News (2024)
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