For fans of the touchdown celebrations made famous by the likes of Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson, you might be disappointed this season. Apparently, the NFL’s competition committee might crackdown on such festivities.
“Individual celebration was getting out of hand,” [Tennessee coach Jeff] Fisher said Monday at the NFL meetings. “The players’ association was unanimous in wanting to get this under control.”
So spiking the ball in the end zone will be OK. And spinning it on the ground, or dunking it over the goalpost. Dancing in the end zone is fine, too, as long as it’s not prolonged or a group effort.
Almost all other celebrations will be out if the committee’s recommendation to clamp down further on the frivolities is passed by the owners.
It’s not too clear why the competition committee wants to limit these celebrations. If it’s because they feel that they hold up the game, they should take a look at the number of commercials shown per game. A few years ago, the NFL instituted a running clock for most of the game, even when a player went out of bounds. But games are taking as long as ever, and that’s due to the extra commercial breaks. It’s getting to the point where it can be excruciating to watch a live game. I know I’m fooling myself – the league will never curb commercials because advertising is paying their bills (and their salaries).
