College football will enforce several new rule changes for next season, including one in which touchdowns will be taken away if a player taunts before he reaches the end zone.
In previous years, a 15-yard penalty was assessed on the extra point attempt, 2-point conversion attempt or the ensuing kickoff. According to ESPN.com, penalties called after the player crosses the goal line will still be assessed on those plays, but now live-ball fouls will be assessed at the spot of the foul or the score could be eliminated completely.
Also, if a referee sees that you’re having too much fun in the stands, armed security guards will usher you out of the stadium and banish you from further events. The NCAA apparently wanted to add a “lashing rule” in which fans and players could be lashed olden days-style, but they could not get it approved.
I’m kidding about the lashing rule, of course, but I do wonder about these judgment call rules. What if a defensive player intercepts a pass and on the way to the end zone, sticks his finger up in the air to celebrate? Is that considered taunting? Because by the letter of the law, I’m sure it is in some officials’ eyes. Where do we draw the line here?
I don’t think there’s any room in the game for choreographed dance routines, pointing the ball towards an opponent or even high-stepping the final 10 yards into the end zone. But the NCAA is inviting disaster by installing a rule that takes away touchdowns and you just know there will be examples of players getting away with certain acts, while others are penalized for “taunting.” I don’t know what the answer is here, but I can see how problem can and will arise because of this enforcement.
