In a holiday tradition like none other, the Salvation Army kettle at AT&T stadium is in play for Dallas Cowboys games.
But it was a Cowboys opponent who struck first Monday night.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown caught a screen pass from Joe Burrow during Monday’s game against the Cowboys, then tightroped down the left sideline for a 19-yard touchdown. He celebrated by making a beeline for the Salvation Army kettle sitting behind the end zone.
But officials rained on his celebration, calling him out of bounds before he got to the end zone. Brown was miffed that his score and his celebration were nullified.
But Brown didn’t step out of bounds. The Bengals challenged the call on the field, and replay review reversed the call on the field. Brown’s touchdown was good. But he’ll never get back the full joy of his celebration mocking a longstanding Cowboys tradition.
The kettle jump dates back several seasons to the prime of Ezekiel Elliott’s first stint with the Cowboys. Elliott repeatedly jumped into the kettle after scores, a routine that drew multiple fines from the NFL that Elliott was happy to pay.
The kettle has evolved into a target for Cowboys opponents, who have come up with creative touchdown celebrations of their own to play off Elliott’s. Sadly for Brown, his celebration was cut short by a bad call.
The good news for Brown is that his touchdown gave the Bengals a 14-10 lead. Now he waits to see if the NFL issues a fine or decides to let this one slide.