Freakonomics and End-Zone Celebrations
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One of the many blogs I am subscribed to is the New York Times Freakonomics Blog, led by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt, the authors who wrote the NYT Best-Selling book, Freakonomics. Needless to say, I was pretty shocked yesterday when their latest post featured a crappy video I had taken for a Schnoz Report column.
Remember back in Week 1 when T.O. scored a touchdown and did a Usain Bolt impersonation to celebrate? No? Me either. But apparently it happened, and as a result, Head of NFL Officials Mike Pereira went on NFL Total Access with Rich Eisen to explain what types of celebrations the NFL would be penalizing this year. At the end of the discussion, Pereira said the only reason a player could go to the ground to celebrate was if they were praying. The words Pereira used were “Praising the Lord”. I was taken aback by Pereira’s choice of words; so much so that I recorded it with my crappy camera , posted it online, and put it in the Week 2 Schnoz Report.
I had forgotten about the video until yesterday, when there it was! Right in the middle of a post on the Freakonomics Blog.
In his blog post, the question Stephen Dubner asked the NFL was, “Why is it O.K. to praise the Lord but not, say, make a snow angel?” He wonders if athiests should go after the NFL for this apparent double standard.
As a bunch of commenters there were quick to point out, the NFL is a private league, and can do whatever the heck they want with their penalties and fines. Athiests who are concerned with the separation of church and state don’t share the same passion for the separation of church and professional football. Makes sense to me.
The whole thing brings me to a question I’d like your opinion on, though.
Are you okay with the current rules against end zone celebrations (no going to the ground, no props, no throwing the ball up in the air, etc)? Do you think the rules are too strict, or are they necessary? If you’ve got an opinion on this, weigh in.
I’ll go more in depth with my thoughts in the comments, but I wanted to hear what you all had to say first.
i think that the penalties for celebrations are stupid and way too strict. a 10 thousand dollar fine for making a snow angel? these things are not black and white but thats how the nfl has treated it. if i guy goes to the ground, penalty and fine. no matter if he is making a snow angel or making an obscene gesture. i can understand outlawing props, it is a little ridiculous to have sharpie or cell phone in the sock in anticipation of scoring a touchdown. but when it comes to rules, i feel like if your going to create a rule that strips someone of a freedom, then you better be damn sure that what you are doing is right. and i just dont see the big deal in letting players celebrate in funny, creative ways when they score. as long as they aren’t mocking the other team with the celebration.
January 21st, 2009 at 9:53 amI am all for celebrating in all of its forms in all sports. I see nothing wrong with Alfonso Soriano watching a homerun, Wes Welker making a snow angel or Kurt Warner praising God. I do, however, have a problem with any celebrations that mock the other team or are a creative form of trash talking. I also hate all fighting in hockey and think a $10,000 fine for a fist being thrown in the NHL and every other sport is much more appropriate than for something as harmless, fun and clever as a snow angel.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:05 amLet ‘em celebrate. As long as they aren’t taunting, vulgar, or taking up too much time, they can do whatever they want. This is professional sports, it’s supposed to be entertainment and making snow angels or dunking the ball over the crossbar is entertaining.
College sports is a different ball of wax, but these are paid professionals we are talking about.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:37 amFine ‘em all, prayers included. Have a standard and stick to it. These guys are supposed to be professionals. Act like you’ve been in the end zone before. Sheesh
January 21st, 2009 at 3:07 pmWe watch NFL for entertainment; what is wrong with receiving it. Restrictions? No taunting the other team. But I don’t think impersonating Usain is taunting.
January 21st, 2009 at 3:46 pmAs long as it is not holding up the game or anything.
I would have to agree Greg on this one. These guys get paid millions of dollars to play a game. They need to act like grown men and like they have scored a touchdown. I feel like this should be the case for all sports. There needs to be a bit more sportsmanship in the world and a lot less showboating in the world of sports.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:18 pmPersonally, I like the end zone celebrations. It’s fun. Scoring a touchdown takes a lot of work. Not only on that given play, but also during the week in practice and film study. I think guys should be allowed to have a little fun with it, so long as it is not explicit taunting of the other team.
The thing that gets me aggravated? When Defensive players make a tackle and perform their signature move. DRIVES ME CRAZY. You have to admit, a TD in the NFL is something to celebrate. But making a tackle? And now you’re going to start digging with an imaginary shovel or start flexing your muscles? C’mon. If you’re on defense, you get paid to make tackles. It’s the base business of your job. Cause a fumble? go crazy? Snag an INT? shovel away. But if I see one more guy start moonwalking because he tackled a runner for a 1-yard loss, I am going to take a dump on my DirecTV satellite dish.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:25 pmNo props. Less than 10 seconds long. No celebrating if you’re losing by 10 or more points (after the touchdown).
Can we also get some rules for fans charging the field and court in college games? Man, do we need some guidelines there!
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm