The taunting rule is causing a lot of discussion in the NFL. Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy sides with the league and is glad the rule is being vigorously enforced.

Munich – While many players and coaches are upset about the NFL’s tough taunting rules, Matt Nagy is all for it.

The head coach of the Chicago Bears was himself a “victim” of the tougher measures with his team against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but in his argumentation he points above all to the role model function of the players.

The 43-year-old told “NBC”: “People are watching and want to see a little respect.” He said he himself is a big “advocate of mutual respect” and wants to do the right thing.

Nagy: “Children also watch the games “

“It doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun anymore, but children also watch the games and see what happens,” Nagy continued. There is a danger, he said, that youngsters might copy the negative things because players and coaches have a huge platform as role models.

“Let’s have fun anyway. The players can have fun even without provoking or mocking. Let’s just stay within the rules,” Nagy appealed – while also taking himself into responsibility: “I have to do my job properly and make the players understand that they don’t have to provoke. That’s the rule, there’s nothing we can do about that!”

Although some taunting calls this season are certainly debatable, Nagy has thus addressed an important point: The rule isn’t going away for the time being, so teams should do everything they can to avoid taking unnecessary penalties.