It’s time Roger Goodell and the powers that be of the NFL to take a serious look at what they’re focusing on. Sure, they’re doing a better job of protecting players from themselves when it comes to concussions. But I think we can all agree that it’s still not an ideal system. Players are going to try to get themselves back on the field and they will put themselves in danger of suffering further and more serious injuries. But that’s not what this post is about. This is about the NFL’s obsession with celebrations.
Last time I checked NFL stood for National Football League. However it seems like every year it gets closer and closer to standing for No Fun League. Players are penalized for celebrating big plays in seemingly harmless fashion. This past weekend it was most noticeable during the Saints/Cowboys matchup on Sunday night. Mark Ingram broke a big run and celebrated by spinning the ball and smacking himself in the helmet a few times. Was it a bit over the top? Sure, especially if you’re a Cowboys fan (which I unfortunately happen to be. Trust me, it’s not easy.) But in the grand scheme of the game, it didn’t matter. Ingram was flagged for delay of game and his team was penalized 5 yards. If that’s not a slap on the wrist, I don’t know what is. They didn’t even have to replay the down, and more importantly, the game wasn’t delayed! Sure it took a few more seconds for the ref to get the ball and place it, but it really didn’t change anything. It is certainly possible that something like that could have a massive impact on a game, but that’s where a ref should be able to use his judgment. I’m tired of the NFL pretending like the game isn’t supposed to be fun. It’s a game. Games are fun. Stop telling people playing a game to not have fun.
I’m not suggesting there should be no limits to the celebrations. Dancing in the end zone, especially when done by people who probably can’t dance even when they’re not wearing football equipment, is hilarious. The fans love it. The players love it. The other team can even use it as motivation to keep their opponent from scoring on their next drive. Who is this hurting? No one, that’s who. When Terrell Owens pulled the Sharpie out of his sock and signed that ball we all cheered, or booed because we couldn’t stand the guy. But feelings aside, you have to admit that was pretty cool. That stunt cost Owens $20,000 for, and I swear I’m not making this up, “defacing the ball.” Unbelievable right? The NFL lets players set up signing sessions where people pay ridiculous amounts of money to get autographed merchandise. But a player signs a ball after scoring and gives it to his financial advisor he gets fined for it. I just don’t understand. Apparently the footballs being used in games are sacred objects and they must be treated like a Fabergé egg.
Now there are celebrations which I think have gone too far. Again I’ll use Owens as an example. Back in 2000 he was with the 49ers and after scoring a touchdown against the Cowboys in Cowboys Stadium, he ran to the star at midfield and celebrated. Again, I’m a Cowboys fan so I may be a bit biased here, but that to me is a delay of the game. In 2010 when Chris Johnson posed on the star in the Cowboys end zone after he scored a touchdown on them, I had no issue. He said later when asked about it that he “liked to entertain.” That’s what football players are, entertainers. People watch the games because they’re fun. Does the NFL really think people are going to change the channel or not buy tickets if they see grown men celebrating like little kids? Newsflash, we tune in because we want to see what happens next!
The NFL’s policy on injuries and concussions has recently come under scrutiny and has been addressed by the people in charge of those things. But while they’re trying to make the game safer, they’re making a mockery of it at the same time. Big hits are still celebrated by every single media outlet that covers the league. Sure there is a lot more criticism than there was even 5 years ago, but the fact remains that people like to see big hits. Notice I said big hits there, not hits that are intended to injure. But when you’re penalizing players for good plays because they’re excited, your priorities are warped. Let these guys have their fun and focus on keeping them safe.
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