FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Maybe it's just my selective memory.  Or maybe I'm just being a curmudgeon like Old Man Stowe.  But as I watched several NFL games yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell is wrong with these guys.

Exhibit A:

Titans versus Jaguars.  In a divisional game, the Titans were looking to stay undefeated while the Jags were looking to improve upon their sub-par 2008 with a big upset.

Jacksonville drives down the field, giving the vaunted Titans D all they want and then some.  The drive culminates with a touchdown by MoJo Drew.  Who promptly gets up and dances.


15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Yeah...the key to a big upset is setting yourself back 15 yards for no reason.

Exhibit B:

Titans versus Jaguars.  Again.  Brandon Jones catches a 13-yard pass from Team Manager for the Titans' first touchdown of the day.  Jones promptly celebrates by pantomiming an arrest.

15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Right.  Because your 9-0 team has clearly never scored a touchdown before.  Especially one of 13 yards.

Exhibit C:

Steelers versus Chargers.  Phillip Rivers throws into the flat.  Steelers defensive back William Gay makes the open field tackle to stop the play for no gain.  He promptly gets up and dances. 

Good one.  You avoided the flag, but your D got burned on the very next throw for a big first down.  I didn't notice you dancing after that one.

I could go on and on with just the examples I saw in yesterday's games.  And by only citing the games I actually watched.  And to diffuse any complaints, I WANTED the Steelers and Titans to win their respective games.

But I think you get the point.

Why is it that in today's NFL, nearly everything a player does is worthy of a dance?  You made a tackle?  You'd better dance!  You got a first down wide receiver Roy Williams?  Why, by all means...dance!

Based on my own observations, defensive backs seem to be the worst and most consistent offenders, but runnings backs and wide receivers are doing their fair share.  Hell, even the big-eaters get into the act.

I personally refer to this behavior as "Jeroming", so named in honor of Jerome Bettis.  Bettis is the consummate celebrator- I have never seen anyone to rival his ridiculousness.  He could be stuffed at the line on 5 straight rushes, then "break" the 6th attempt for a robust 6 or 7 yards and get up and dance.

Bettis, what the hell are you dancing about?  That sweet 1.8 yards per carry you just racked up on the drive?  AWESOME!

Look, I know Bettis was a good back.  And I know that when guys do something good, they want to celebrate.  And I also know that the NFL is an entertainment league as well as a sports league.

Football is a game of emotion, and I love seeing it expressed on the field.  But when did it become necessary and/or acceptable to celebrate every play like you just won the Superbowl?

When I think back to the games I watched as a kid, I can't remember that kind of behavior.  There were always a few primadonnas, but it wasn't like today. 

Was it?  Am I wrong?  Am I remembering old-school NFL through rose-colored glasses?

William Gay's celebration dance was the worst of what I saw yesterday because it had no impact on the game.  In fact, I believe the Chargers ended up scoring on that drive.  It made him look like such an idiot to dance over a single tackle then have Rivers drive all the way down the field, exploiting him and his teammates like sweatshop workers.

As I was watching him shimmy around the field, my first thought was

"if my last name was 'Gay' I wouldn't do that",

and my second thought was "college players are more mature than this".

Seriously.  I've seen 18 year-old kids routinely behaving with more class.  Sure, it could be because the NCAA has tried to surgically remove any and all fun from the college game, but you still see the occasional fist-pump, helmet-slap, or pat on the can.  You know...the kind of celebrations that have always been the norm.  But the showboating and dancing?  With a few exceptions, it just isn't there.

So please, NFL players...save your celebrations for when they are truly warranted.  Because I found myself changing the channel to avoid watching yet another fat, sweaty lineman stomp around wagging his head and convulsing like a bloated epileptic after a tackle on a 2-yard rush. 

Merely doing your job does not justify a dance.