Beckham-Norman II leads to 1st use of Beckham-Norman rule

Week 3: Washington at N.Y. Giants (video)

A game marred by the unsportsmanlike conduct by Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman last year, supposedly spurred a new rule, which, as written, would not have ejected Beckham or Norman if it was in effect then. When Beckham and Norman faced each other again, the rule was first invoked, but against neither Beckham nor Norman.

It was Giants center Weston Richburg that became the first player tossed under the new 2&DQ rule — two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls of a certain type in the same game lead to automatic ejection. Richburg, with a “yellow card” on him for an unsportsmanlike call earlier in the game, approached Norman, the Washington safety, after a catch by Beckham. This taunting violation was flagged and resulted in Richburg’s ejection.

Football Zebras analyzed the fouls called last season and found only one instance where a player was assessed two of the conduct fouls included under the new rule. Those fouls occurred on the same play.

Richburg will also be fined this week for each unsportsmanlike foul, which can be significant even if the minimum amounts are applied.