National Football League

Seahawks DB Earl Thomas gets flagged for hugging referee after fumble return TD

Published Nov. 15, 2016 1:47 p.m. ET

Nick Schwartz

Seattle defensive back Earl Thomas gave the Seahawks an early lead over the New Orleans Saints Sunday with a 34-yard fumble return for a touchdown after Saints RB Mark Ingram lost the ball.

Thomas then received one of the strangest touchdown celebration penalties of the season after he hugged a referee, which is an automatic 15-yarder for unsportmanlike conduct.