The NFL acknowledged Tuesday that officials made a mistake in flagging Kansas City safety Husain Abdullah for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty when he fell to his knees in prayer after a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Chiefs’ 41-14 victory over the New England Patriots on Monday night.

A league rule prohibits players from celebrating while on the ground, but Abdullah is a Muslim who prostrated himself in the end zone after scoring.

“However, the officiating mechanic in this situation is not to flag a player who goes to the ground as part of religious expression, and as a result, there should have been no penalty on the play,” NFL spokesman Michael Signora said.

Abdullah told reporters after the game that he thought the officials flagged him for a slide and not for prostrating himself.

“I just got a little too excited,” Abdullah said.

Abdullah’s pick-six gave the Chiefs a 41-7 lead en route to their blowout win over the Patriots.

“When you go to Mecca, you should have the privilege to slide anywhere you want to slide,” he said of the end zone. “We have two priests in here. I think they will vouch for me.”

Abdullah actually took a year off from football in 2012 after playing for the Minnesota Vikings from 2008 to 2011 to travel to Mecca on a pilgrimage. He is in his second year with the Chiefs.