NFL referees told to enforce strict rule that could get LOTS of players in trouble next season

The NFL has vowed to punish certain celebrations in an attempt to crack down on poor sportsmanship next season.

The league has said it will crack down on both violent and sexually suggestive gestures this season after a number of players continued to perform them last year.

'Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133 per cent so that is a point of emphasis,' NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson said Thursday.

'The officials have made it a point of emphasis to the clubs. It's just one of those areas that the league wants to work actively on.

'There are plenty of ways for players to be able to celebrate, and they come up with some very unique and often entertaining ways so we want them to focus on those and not the inappropriate areas.'

Patrick Mahomes was fined $14,000 back in November after mimicking guns with his hands during the Kansas City Chiefs' loss to the Buffalo Bills. 

Teammate Travis Kelce, who was also fined $14,000 by the NFL for his slam-dunk touchdown celebration through the uprights on Christmas Day, slammed the NFL's rules last season.

When New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard celebrated a first down with finger guns against the Denver Broncos, Kelce said on New Heights: 'I know we don't want this to be like, "Oh, NFL players shooting guns".

'I get that. But this is so subtle. Unless you're, like, doing it at a defender, it shouldn't be a flag. If you want to fine the guy after the game for doing it, whatever, that's up to the NFL for wanting to protect their league.'

The Chiefs tight end called it 'absolutely ridiculous' that a 'guy is on the ground shooting, pointing fingers for getting a first down saying "We're going that way or whatever he might be doing," and received a penalty.

'I just think it's too much, man. It's too much and it's affecting the game in the wrong way,' Travis added. 'I get the guy's got to play by the rules and stuff like that. I don't want to get the NFL on my ass for saying something. But I just think this is too far.'

'It's my second amendment,' Travis jokingly exclaimed. 'I have the right to bear arms.'

Fellow receivees Drake London and Xavier Worthy were also penalized for referencing firearms in celebrations during the season. 

In the Super Bowl, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jalyx Hunt was slapped with a $5,690 fine for celebrating a sack on Patrick Mahomes by gesturing a bow and arrow pointed skyward.

In April, the NFL expanded prohibited acts to include banning the 'nose wipe' gesture that league executive Troy Vincent said is affiliated with gangs.

The unsportsmanlike conduct rule now states: 'any violent gesture, which shall include but not be limited to a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the "nose wipe" gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.

'There's no place in the game to be standing over your opponent,' Vincent said in a video that's sent to teams.

'There's no place in the game to have violent gestures. That's not the game of football. We just have to play by the rules, respect your opponent, respect your teammates and play the game in between the whistles.'