For the Love of the Game

                   By Florida Bill

  

                 Another season of the NFL is upon us with all the hype that goes along with this great game. And who would play this sometimes brutal sport, if it weren't for the roars of the crowd and the chance to be number one in the hearts of the fans. 

                  I  have always been amused by the "hotdogging" that goes on among players anxious to secure their place in the spotlight.  The wild celebrating that players engage in when congratulating themselves on a big hit or a touchdown has just become another element of the game.  
                These days it usually involves spiking or spinning the pigskin, or even a jump into the stands for a personal hug with fans.  Most of these celebrations, which usually take place in the end zone, are okay with the officials, although anything that can be interpreted as "taunting" is forbidden, and for that violators will earn a penalty assessed against their team.  You can hardly find such showmanship on Broadway! It can certainly turn a football game into some fine theater.

                Sometimes, even when a team is down by a few touchdowns and the the game is a lost cause, we might be treated to raunchy gyrations and pelvic humps by a member of the trailing team who just made an aggressive play. Of course, there may be those who consider this a poor time for celebratory boasting. Refs, however, generally seem to have mercy on the losing team,  probably figuring it doesn't make much sense to call a violation.

               The NFL rule book states that a team will be penalized 15 yards if a player commits the following acts:  sack dances, home run swings, incredible hulks (does this have something to do with the big green brute of comic book and TV fame?); spiking, spinning, throwing or shoving the ball; verbal taunting; military salutes; or standing over an opponent with prolonged  provocation.  But again, it is all at the referee's discretion, and you can't blame an athlete for being elated over his good play in this multi-million dollar sport.

            Some years ago, the Vikings' Randy Moss was fined $10,000 in a post TD exultation in which he pretended to pull down his pants and moon a Green Bay crowd.   Joe Horn of the Saints got hit with a $30,000 bang when he scored and then pulled a cell phone from his shoulder pad and called home, then signed the football with a Sharpie pen hidden in his padding.  Over the top, said the refs.

            According to records,  Homer Jones of the New York Giants gets the kudo for having been the first player to spike the pigskin following a touchdown; and Packer Leroy Butler, playing at Lambeau Field, was the first to vault over a wall to make contact with fans.  Initially,  the behavior was deemed too much, but is acceptable today.  In games everywhere, the jump is known as the "Lambeau Leap."

            You might wonder if the demonstrations are putting any players at risk?

             Well, Gus Frerotte of the Redskins scored a TD from the one-yard line and then in reckless jubilation rammed his head into a padded cement wall, spraining his neck and causing him to sit out the remainder of the game.

              Running back Marion Barber of the Chicago Bears, returning for that game after an injury,  was so elated over a touchdown he scored, that he did a back flip landing on his head and face, which required teammates to help him to the sidelines.  That had to hurt, in more ways than one.

            Tight end Jimmy Graham of the Saints never got hurt, but his elation upon scoring prompted him to make a goal post dunk. Only problem was that he inadvertently tore down the left side of the structure, which necessitated a game delay and repair work from the field maintenance squad.   I don't think that Jimmy ever got fined; apparently the refs recognized that the wreckage constituted accidental damage.

            Ken Norton Jr, a defensive lineman with the Raiders, was such an admirer of his dad. who was a great heavyweight boxer, that the young Norton  made it his practice to strike a boxing stance and deliver left and right jabs to the goal post pad following a defensive touchdown.

            Also a bit of a showman was Chad Johnson of the Bengals who, following his TD, gave CPR to a football, dropped to one knee and proposed to a cheerleader and then pulled out an end zone pylon and pretended to hit a golf shot.

            Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, who had a lengthy career with the Oilers, Falcons and Redskins, used to scissor kick and roll the ball up his arms and around his neck in what he explained could be called the "Funky Chicken."

            Another move that earned its own nickname came from  Elbert Woods of the Bengals, whose end zone special became known as the "Icky" shuffle: it included extending his right leg and hopping  to the left and then extending his left leg, and hopping to the right.  Woods drew screams of delight from fans.

             Both Johnson and Woods were outstanding running backs, but you have to wonder how much time they spent choreographing and rehearsing these moves.

            Dallas Cowboy Butch Johnson was a wide receiver and a true Texas guy.  Following a touchdown, Butch would pretend his hands were six shooters and he would fire away, and then blow smoke from his fingertips. At conclusion he would pretend to reholster his weapon.  

            I guess athletes are entitled to a little showing off after an extraordinary play.   From time to time referees would let the word out that players should cool it. Then in 2006, the NFL amended its rules to include the 15-yard penalty for "excessive celebrations."  Yet on the whole, they seem rather tolerant of all the carrying on.  After all,  refs like the game of football and they know that the fans do too.  Maybe the celebrations are just all in the game.      

                                                   xxx

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