The Bears’ offense and Justin Fields were already having a rough go of it during the first half against the 49ers (-6.5) on Sunday. With the San Francisco defense starting to tee off, Chicago’s attack managed to convert just two-of-eight third downs with 68 yards of total offense over six possessions.
But the Bears and Fields start to muster up some momentum on a quality possession toward the end of the half. While it didn’t end with a touchdown, it did give kicker Cairo Santos a manageable attempt to get Chicago on the scoreboard. That is before holder Trenton Gill broke an obscure rule right before the penalty. That’s right, he brought a towel onto the field when he shouldn’t have and effectively ended the Bears’ possession without points.
Uh, what?
shown: a 15-yard penalty for illegal towel use. go Bears pic.twitter.com/gIcaHqEIKP
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) September 11, 2022
Bears holder Trenton Gill was just called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for bringing a towel onto the field while trying to dry the kicking area off before a field goal attempt.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 11, 2022
If this is the first time you’re learning players, especially on special teams, aren’t allowed to use towels on the field, you’re not alone! Evidently, that even surprised Gill, whose job is to make the ball is taken care of for his kicker. I mean, it’s not as if there was a torrential downpour in Chicago the morning of the game or anything.
The NFL’s strange rulebook strikes again.
NFL fans couldn't believe Gill's towel penalty against the 49ers
No Fun League strikes again. Trenton Gill, the Bears holder, flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct because, get this, he brought a towel out to wipe down the field. Which is more than a little wet.
— Nancy Armour (@nrarmour) September 11, 2022
Did you know it's illegal to bring a towel onto the field to wipe down the spot as an NFL holder? Because I did not, nor did Bears rookie punter Trenton Gill.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) September 11, 2022
Trenton Gill gets called for illegally bringing out a towel on the field… pic.twitter.com/QGqzuVPKxv
— WARR Media (weareregalradio.com) (@WARRmedia) September 11, 2022
The ref when he called Trenton Gill for illegal use of a towel pic.twitter.com/phjRN4UUdx
— Kenzie Possee (@KenziePossee) September 11, 2022
I promise you Trenton gill will never do that again lol
— Maxx (@Bearsmaxx) September 11, 2022
THE AUDACITY on Trenton Gill to bring a towel onto the field. Most unsportsmanlike thing I’ve ever seen
— Noah Phalen (@Noahp245) September 11, 2022
Bears being penalized for Trenton Gill bringing a towel on before the the play to try and make the field, you know, useable for football
— Mark A. Kreutzer (@markkreutzer42) September 11, 2022
#Bears catch one of the wildest penalties I've ever heard. Trenton Gill (the holder on FGs) brought a towel out to wipe down the field. Apparently, that is illegal. Gill's reward? He got to punt and the Bears miss out on points.
— Josh Buckhalter (@JoshGBuck) September 11, 2022
Wait a second.
So the Bears holder, Trenton Gill, brought a towel out to wipe the field down.
But by rule, that's illegal. Did not know the NFL added that to the rule book.
— Owen (@Alakazam_428) September 11, 2022
Some rules are just stupid. https://t.co/IkLRwdHadk
— Jeffrey Hurn (@DocJHurn21) September 11, 2022
Suspend him for the season https://t.co/FfFNJ5yczQ
— Tom Crabtree (@itsCrab) September 11, 2022
