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Twice this season, Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree has been penalized for a throat slash gesture.

But Crabtree says it’s not a throat slash at all, and hopes to convince officials of this soon.

Via Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group, Crabtree said the celebration was intended with no malice, which he hopes to explain to refs before games start.

“Just talk to the ref before the game or something. I ain’t going to make a big deal about it,” Crabtree said. “It’s a misunderstanding. It’s cool. They aren’t perfect, now. I feel like they thought I was going to do it and they were ready, but I never did the throat slash.

“I’m sure they’ll look at that and if I get in the end zone and celebrate, I won’t get that flag.”

In Jacksonville last week, Crabtree’s touchdown celebration included moving his right hand toward his left shoulder, but he never drew it across his neck, the menacing gesture which the league has tried to stamp out (while giving one-game suspensions to domestic abusers).

After the first such incident (after a two-point conversion in New Orleans), Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said it was borrowed from the Kenny Powers character in “Eastbound and Down.”

With a little luck, Crabtree will someday be introduced to the song “Real American,” and make the tribute complete.