The Cleveland Browns have had a relatively dismal season given strong expectations after reaching the AFC Divisional round of the playoffs last season. With the Steelers being eliminated from the playoffs before even taking the field in Week 17 on Sunday, their Monday Night Football matchup in Pittsburgh was only relevant for the Steelers, aside from the Browns’ opportunity to play spoiler in Ben Roethlisberger’s likely final game at home.
After a scoreless first quarter that saw neither offensive get anything going, it was evident that points would be at a premium and both sides would definitely need some aid in getting in the end zone. Cleveland, fortunately for Pittsburgh, was happy to oblige with one of the season’s dumbest penalties, extending the Steelers’ first touchdown drive of the game.
To force what could have been a long field goal on third down, Jadeveon Clowney made an excellent play on a wide receiver screen, but after taking Claypool down, he tore off the star receiver’s shoe and threw it towards midfield, receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
After being advanced into the red zone by the penalty, Roethlisberger hit Diontae Johnson on a slant, and the Steelers seized their first lead of the game.
Not the first time a shoe throwing penalty has been used, as Florida notably lost to LSU after setting up a game-winning field goal on third down with a similar 15-yard penalty. Players will eventually learn not to do this, but until then, the internet will merely laugh at their idiocy and share Austin Powers GIFs to celebrate their ignorance of the situation.
