Nebraska players refuse handshake with Iowa, sparking controversy

In a recent game between Nebraska and Iowa, Nebraska's game captains made a decision not to engage in the traditional pregame handshake with their opponents. This incident occurred just ahead of the kickoff during a tightly contested matchup. Nebraska's head coach, Matt Rhule, expressed disappointment over this decision made by the captains, specifically Elliott Brown, Emmett Johnson, MJ Sherman, and DeShon Singleton. The backdrop to this unusual pregame moment was tension surrounding a prayer that Nebraska players typically perform at the 50-yard line, which Iowa's side opposed. As a result, Nebraska's players held their prayer at the end zone. Following the game, which Iowa won with a field goal in the final seconds, Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins commented on the absence of the handshake. Rhule noted that the Nebraska players felt disrespected by Iowa's insistence on guarding the logo at midfield, where they preferred to hold their prayer. Rhule emphasized that the negative feelings of his players were not channeled appropriately, leading to their refusal to shake hands. He assured that this conduct was not representative of what Nebraska stands for. Rhule emphasized that they strive to teach respect and sportsmanship, stating that the players will learn and grow from this experience. He conveyed the importance of shaking hands both before and after games, regardless of the score or underlying emotions. Their behavior during the match itself was commendable; Rhule remarked that both teams displayed good sportsmanship by avoiding any unsportsmanlike conduct during play. Overall, Rhule's remarks highlighted the significance of sportsmanship in football and reinforced the values that Nebraska's program seeks to uphold as they move forward. He remains committed to instilling these values in his players to ensure respectful interactions with competitors in future games.