NFL PLAYERS WILL be able to celebrate their touchdowns in style after league officials confirmed their decision to relax the hated ‘excessive celebration’ rule.
Using the football as a prop is now allowed, as are group celebrations involving teammates, or celebrating on the ground, such as making a “snow angel” or crawling.
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But commissioner Roger Goodell also warned that some things are still banned, such as twerking or mimicking weapons or similar motions, such as the pretend bow and arrow firing used by Washington cornerback Josh Norman last season.
In an open letter to fans on the NFL’s website, Goodell said the move was taken after talking to more than 80 current and former players. The celebration restrictions had prompted remarks that the letters NFL stood for No Fun League.
“We are relaxing our rules on celebrations to allow players more room to have fun after they make big plays,” Goodell wrote.
“We know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown. And players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.
“Offensive demonstrations, celebrations that are prolonged and delay the game and those directed at an opponent will still be penalised.”
Owners voted to reduce overtime from 15 minutes to 10 in regular season games as a safety move, easing concerns many players had about playing an extra quarter. The NFL said 22 of the 83 overtimes played in the past five years have lasted 10 minutes or more, so the move could result in more draws.
The NFL is relaxing one of its most-hated rules
NFL PLAYERS WILL be able to celebrate their touchdowns in style after league officials confirmed their decision to relax the hated ‘excessive celebration’ rule.
Using the football as a prop is now allowed, as are group celebrations involving teammates, or celebrating on the ground, such as making a “snow angel” or crawling.
But commissioner Roger Goodell also warned that some things are still banned, such as twerking or mimicking weapons or similar motions, such as the pretend bow and arrow firing used by Washington cornerback Josh Norman last season.
In an open letter to fans on the NFL’s website, Goodell said the move was taken after talking to more than 80 current and former players. The celebration restrictions had prompted remarks that the letters NFL stood for No Fun League.
“We are relaxing our rules on celebrations to allow players more room to have fun after they make big plays,” Goodell wrote.
“We know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown. And players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.
“Offensive demonstrations, celebrations that are prolonged and delay the game and those directed at an opponent will still be penalised.”
Owners voted to reduce overtime from 15 minutes to 10 in regular season games as a safety move, easing concerns many players had about playing an extra quarter. The NFL said 22 of the 83 overtimes played in the past five years have lasted 10 minutes or more, so the move could result in more draws.
© – AFP 2017
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