The Way it Was
Pioneers
Enough is Enough
Monkey See, Monkey Do
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Monkey see, Monkey Do
The NFL is not the only level of football that is experiencing the trend of
excessive celebration. College, and high school programs have also had to
address the issue as more and more players attempt to imitate the pros they
watch on Sunday or come up with something new themselves. There have been
numerous instances where unsportsmanlike conduct has been called on teams
from major college programs and drastically changed their games and even
seasons. For instance, Illinois was flagged for excessive celebration for
the third time during their 2002 season in a loss agains Michigan.
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The season had only reached early October by that point. In a September
game in 2001, Utah State scored a late touchdown to pull them within one
point. Obviously an emotional play, the players began jumping on each
other and celebrating the possible game-saving score. The celebration,
however, drew a flag from the officials for excessive celebration and the
extra point was moved back 15 yards. What was the result? Wyoming blocked
the kick to win the game.7
This season's Florida vs. Miami matchup had 4 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties
called for celebration.8
The list is endless. College football coaches have even been encouraged to
show their players a sportsmanship video made by the NCAA Football Rules Committee.
High school players are seeing the effects as well, as games are being officiated
more strictly regarding celebration all over the nation.9
You can even pass by a Pop Warner game and watch kids imitate their favorite stars.10
It is not a fine line between excessive celebrationhuman emotion that must be expected in the heat
of the moment. The trend certainly is not making
the line any clearer. As long as the celebration is worth the flag, however,
expect to see more players suiting up with sharpies and entertaining the fans
with their latest rendition of the "Dirty Bird."
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