The No Fun League

Was this rule change really necessary?

On the last day of their spring meetings, NFL owners cracked down on premeditated celebrations by two or more players and the use of such "foreign objects" as cell phones and Sharpies anywhere on the field.

As expected, the owners voted 31-1 Wednesday to penalize a team 15 yards if a player or players violate the rule. Players also will be fined as they have in the past.

Oakland was the only team to vote against what is basically an amended rule.

"We're not changing the rule; we're just enforcing it," said Atlanta general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's competition committee. "Now, a player can be fined and penalized for violating the rule."

The NFL says it's a violation of the rule if players perform anywhere on the field acts that include but are not limited to throat slash, machine gun salute, sexually suggestive gestures, prolonged gyrations or stomping on a team logo.

Also subject to a penalty if they're directed at an opponent are sack dances, home-run swing, incredible hulk, spiking the ball, spinning the ball, throwing or shoving the ball, pointing, pointing the ball, verbal taunting, military salute, standing over an opponent, or dancing.

"We voted for it," Texans general manager Charley Casserly said. "We don't think those kinds of celebrations have a place in the game. We're not opposed to individual celebrations as long as they're not taunting the opponent."

What's the big deal? Sure it's childish when a player does that stuff. So what? Isn't this supposed to be about entertainment? Are people not tuning in because Sam Horn stuck a cell phone in the goal post pads and made an ass of himself after scoring a touchdown? Have any sponsors (like, say, any of the male-performance "get back in the game" products) dropped the NFL because of this? Does anyone other than a few stuffed shirt sportswriters really care?

It's their game and they can do what they want. I'll still watch. And I admit, I'm bothered a lot less by this sort of thing than some (many?) people are. But for the life of me, I can't understand the need for official punishment of silliness. Seems to me that if the coaches thought it was a problem for their teams, it would have been stopped a long time ago. So why does the league care?

Posted by Charles Kuffner on April 01, 2004 to Other sports | TrackBack