NFL world split on Riq Woolen's taunting penalty in NFC championship Jack McKessy, USA TODAYJanuary 26, 2026 at 4:52 AM 0 No one is happier that the Seattle Seahawks won the NFC championship game than cornerback Riq Woolen. Woolen, a former fifthround pick by the Seahawks and 2022 Pro Bowler, drew a flag late in the third quarter for taunting the Los Angeles Rams' sideline after breaking up a pass on thirdand12. The result of the penalty was 15 yards and a first down for Los Angeles.
- - NFL world split on Riq Woolen's taunting penalty in NFC championship
Jack McKessy, USA TODAYJanuary 26, 2026 at 4:52 AM
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No one is happier that the Seattle Seahawks won the NFC championship game than cornerback Riq Woolen.
Woolen, a former fifth-round pick by the Seahawks and 2022 Pro Bowler, drew a flag late in the third quarter for taunting the Los Angeles Rams' sideline after breaking up a pass on third-and-12. The result of the penalty was 15 yards and a first down for Los Angeles.
The negative effects of Woolen's penalty were exacerbated when he allowed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Rams receiver Puka Nacua on the following play to pull within four points of Seattle.
Neither team scored for the rest of the game, so the Seahawks came away with a 31-27 victory. With Seattle's NFC title in hand, the fourth-year cornerback avoided the ignominy that would have come with making a poor decision that adversely affected his team's chance to win a game.
Did Woolen deserve to be penalized for the play? The taunting flag drew mixed reactions from fans and analysts on social media. Some criticized the officials for calling the controversial penalty in a game with high stakes, while others expressed frustration or disappointment in Woolen's actions after the play.
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Many accounts with large followings on social media expressed frustration at the NFC championship's officials for calling the taunting penalty in such a high leverage situation.
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No matter which team you're rooting for (Rams / Seahawks)The ref should never determine the outcome of games on a stupid taunting call. That was a total nothing burger.No dog in the fight. I just hate the stupidity of it
— Mark Suster (@msuster) January 26, 2026
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: January 25, 2026 at 11:27PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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