It’s a celebration: NFL brings back TD celebrations
Terrell Owens playing for Cincinnati Bengals. Photo courtesy of unsplash.com
Associate Writer, Rondo Thompson
Roll out the red carpet and let the celebrations begin. Touchdown celebrations are back this NFL season.
This season the NFL has scaled back their rules allowing players to bring back celebration with no limitations. Players around the league have wasted no time putting their “Cellys” to use. When Steelers WR Antonio Brown was asked on what the rule changes mean to the game, he said “Its amazing.”
At the beginning of the 2006 season, the NFL made significant rule changes to how players could celebrate their touchdowns. Taunting and “excessive” celebrations were ruled offensive. Players penalized for such have faced large fines and even suspensions in an effort to cut down on celebrations. Punishments included an automatic 15-yards-penalty against any player who left his feet or used a prop, like a towel, the goal post or post base or the football itself.
Touchdown celebrations became a part of the game of football by giving players the ability to bring a little bit of fun to the game, express themselves and even connect with the fan base. Former players like Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss were seen as pioneers in TD celebrations with their on-field antics. These players and more became a household name bringing life to the game.
