Do YOU think there should be a penalty for celebrating in the end zone???

Question

In recent game history, a team received a FIFTEEN yard penalty for celebrating a touchdown by giving each other bear hugs. Do you think that was right? I understand they don't want players taking 5 minutes doing their dances in the end zone, but what on earth is wrong with teammates congratulating one another??

Like I said -- I agree with not allowing EXCESSIVE celebration, but I still cannot understand how a congratulatory bear hug warrants a 15 yard penalty. Shouldn't the punishment fit the crime?

Answer 1

That is kinda excessive for something that small and insignificant. I agree that props and dancing should be excessive. BUT, something like a hug, or a bump of the arm signifying a good job, shouldn't be penalized.

Answer 2

I agree with you.

Ex. bob and weave, the dirty bird, Terrell Owens signing balls, Either Deuce McCallistar or Joe Horn put the cell phone under the goal post padding, or treating the goal post as a fire pole. They have ban some of these touchdown dances because some of them are part of "unsportman like conduct". I think it was part of taunting.

It would take too much time for them to do a 5 minute dance. They have 30 seconds to get off the field or else they would get penalized. They would get penalized 15 - yards, unless, they do not get too greedy with their celebration.

Answer 3

It's possible that from the officials' standpoint, some of that 'congratulating' can be down elsewhere... like the sidelines! Is it really necessary to thank ALL of your linemen in the endzone? Is it necessary to 'hug' a receiver who probably had NOTHING to do with the play?! I am NOT a fan of excessive celebration. Say a prayer, dunk it over the goalpost, give it to a fan, hug the QB, Lambeau Leap it and move it out of the endzone so they can kick the XP. Save the melodramatics for Pam Oliver (FOX Sports) and her human-interest shenanigans.

Answer 4

There's no rule against celebration as long as it's spontaneous, doesn't delay the game, isn't taunting, and the player(s) don't do it to bring attention to themselves. The rule isn't a joke if it's applied correctly. A contact sport has nothing to do with exhibiting emotion. Every sport has a great deal of emotion. I get annoyed when I see the phony crap that goes on in the NFL and I have a problem with that. That's not celebrating. That's attention seeking showboating and it's irritating.

Answer 5

If you agree that they should dance for 5 minutes in the end zone, then you must agree that "EXCESSIVE" celebration is indeed worthy of being penalized.

The problem is, it's not well defined how excessive is too excessive. So, it's completely up to the refs. So, that sucks sometimes, when the refs are unfair. What can you do?

Answer 6

Dancing in the end zone allows players to express their joy after scoring a touchdown. however their seems to be a celebration after every down now and I definately think there should be some limits.

Answer 7

It's a subjective call. You saw bear hugs. The referee saw excessive celebration. I say take your celebration to the sidelines and be a good sport for the kids watching the game.

Answer 8

Good question- I LOVE football.....and I guess when it's MY team celebrating I have more patience for that-LOL....
(go bears!)
But I also, in some way in my brain, think- It's your JOB- you SHOULD get a touch down. Don't make such a big deal about it. I'd prefer to see them mad when they don't do good.
I'm an accountant- I don't make nearly the money they do- and I don't do a dance in the hall when my account balances.

Answer 9

Maybe a team should be sentenced to a series of dance lessons if their end zone boogie is really lame. Otherwise, give the guys a break!

Answer 10

I love to see them celebrate within a certain degree. I dont see anything wrong with doing a little dance or something like that. That is what makes it fun . I think its a stupid rule.