News came out today that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is going to relax on touchdown celebration rules for the upcoming 2017-18 season. This is a long time coming, as it’s hard to get into the end zone, and players should be allowed to celebrate as however they please.
“According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to propose a major loosening of the celebration rules, which would allow using the ball as a prop, group celebrations, and going to the ground along with making snow angels.” (NBC Sports)
So, that makes me think, what are five celebrations that should be either redone, or introduced, in the 2017-18 season?
5: The Washington Redskins “Fun Bunch” group high-five
Back in the 80’s touchdown celebrations weren’t chastised as much by gas bagging sports journalists on national TV. Teams like the Redskins were able to get away with this group celebration; and not have to worry about being told to “respect the game” or “act like they’ve been there before”.
When someone on Washington would score, a group of offensive players would rush into the end-zone and form a huddle. Then all leap into the air for a group high-five. Hopefully, with the rules relaxed now, we’ll get to see Antonio Brown, Le’veon Bell, and a number of other Steelers crowd together and do a group high-five after touchdowns.
4: The Joe Horn “Cell Phone” celebration
In 2003, the New Orleans Saints were in a home game against the New York Giants on prime time television. With the game mid-way through its first half, Horn caught a touchdown pass from Aaron Brooks to put the Saints up 16-7. Then, Horn went to the padding around the goal post and took a flip phone out from the base and pretended to make a phone call.
The celebration was met with a $30,000 fine from the league, and Saints head coach Jim Haslett chewing Horn out after the game saying, “You don’t do stuff like that,” Haslett said after the game. “I know it was premeditated. I know it was national television. But you don’t do it.”
Now, 14 years later, and with the advancement in cell phones, you could see New York Giants wideout Odell Beckham Jr pulling out an iPhone and using Snapchat after scoring, potentially.
3: Any of the late 1980’s early 1990’s University of Miami celebrations
I could have done a top-five list of just the celebrations on this video clip. These Miami Hurricanes teams were so much fun to watch. One, because they were loaded with talent, and two, because when they scored, or made a great play, they didn’t care what you thought and would celebrate however they wanted to.
Hopefully, this season someone from the Cowboys or Texans runs up the tunnel the way Randall “Thrill” Hill did at the Cotton Bowl against the University of Texas and then shoots off finger guns at the competition.
2: Marshawn Lynch “Golf Cart”
This may have been during a Cal-Washington College game, so it didn’t happen in side of an NFL stadium. However, with Lynch now back in the league, and the rules being relaxed, why can’t we see this done during a Raiders-Broncos game?
From the oral history of that Cal-Washington game: “In overtime, Lynch scored on a 22-yard touchdown run, and Bishop ended the game with an interception. Lynch would tell the Associated Press after the game that he jumped into the training cart to pick up the exhausted Bishop, who unnecessarily returned the interception 79 yards.”
Let’s hope there’s another “exhausted” player during the year, so Lynch can jump into another cart to celebrate a win.
1: The China Arena Football League celebrations
I had to go to China to find touchdown celebrations that weren’t being shouted at to respect the game. And, not only did I have to find a football league in China, it had to be an Arena Football League, that would have the best celebrations.
Also, if you have been following the CAFL then you either really love football, or have a serious football problem.
But, look at some of these amazing celebrations. There’s a two-man canoe, there’s group “Carlton Dance” going on over at the sidelines, there’s.a fencing dual between teammates, and there’s someone doing the “Curly” at the 50-yard line. And, the best part is no one is fighting because they feel shown up, no coach is saying how disrespected they feel, and it looks like everyone is having fun.
If any of these can make their way into the NFL this season it will be worth the price for however you’re consuming the league.
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