What type of foul incurs a 15-yard penalty for behavior deemed inappropriate?

Unsportsmanlike conduct is a foul that incurs a 15-yard penalty due to behavior deemed inappropriate or unsportsmanlike on the field. This type of foul encompasses a range of actions that violate the spirit of the game, including taunting, using abusive language, or excessively celebrating after a play. The enforcement of a 15-yard penalty serves to maintain the integrity of the sport and ensure that all participants adhere to standards of fair play and respect.

In contrast, intentional grounding typically results in a penalty that not only costs the offending team a loss of down but also 10 yards from the previous spot, aimed at preventing a quarterback from avoiding pressure unfairly. Delay of game incurs a 5-yard penalty for not snapping the ball in the allotted time, while a false start also results in a 5-yard penalty when an offensive player illegally moves before the snap. Each of these fouls carries different penalties and serves distinct purposes within the rules of football.