The gesture is the epitome of sanctimonious self-aggrandizing: thanking god when you score in a game or win in a competition. Believing that god not only favors you over the other team, but also alters reality to help you win is borderline megalomaniac, and a crass contradiction to the idea that your god is just.

A few days ago, referees penalized Kansas City Chief’s Husain Abdullah who, after a successful touch-down, had nothing better to do than to kneel, and thank his god – probably for using his celestial powers to smite New England, the opposing team.

Since it’s not a US custom to penalize open displays of stupidity – even in egregious instances as this – I think that the referees over-reacted. Is thanking god for winning stupid? Yes. Is it in-your-face arrogant? Definitely. Is is unsportsmanlike? You bet.

But it’s also very American. Just watch the Academy Awards.