The NFL is cracking down on freedom of endzone speech by banning any celebrations that include going to the ground or using the football as a prop. NFL owners voted 29-3 on the measure. The three teams to vote against it were Dallas, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay. It’s obvious why Dallas voted against it but who in Philly or TB has any TD celebrations?
The Cincinnati Enquirer ranked Chad Johnson’s TD celebrations last year. According to the new rules, 4 of his top five (reviving the football, the proposal, Santa Chad, and the putt) would be illegal. Only the Riverdance (which is definitely his best one) would still be allowed.
Other rule changes approved are: expansion of the no horse collar tackle rule, tightened restrictions on hitting QBs below the knees, and, the most imporant, allowing down-by-contact plays to be reviewed. The referee will also only have 60 seconds to review a play instead of the current 2 minutes.
Links:
[San Jose Mercury News]: Owners set limits on TD celebrations
[NFL.com]: NFL curtails end-zone celebrations
2 replies on “No Fun League at it again”
Also… — I think they are trying to cut down on false start penalties if it is just a flinch. The new celebration rule is ridiculous. No fan cares if someone is usuing the ball as a prop, those are the most entertaining celebrations.
they should have an independent judge — and if the celebration sucks, then penalize them 15 yards. Using the pylon to putt he ball = genius. Wiping the ball like a baby who shat himself = lame and disgusting.