With The First Pick
Fansided

Is NFL’s revised Celebration rule a Step Backward?

By Maurice Barksdale

Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) does a celebration dance in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Steelers won 38-16. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) does a celebration dance in the end zone after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Steelers won 38-16. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Fox analyst and former NFL Head of Officiating Mike Pereira stated in an interview on Talk of Fame Network that he thinks the NFL’s revised end zone celebration rule is a step backward.

But is it a step backward? Here’s part of what Pereira had to say about the revised NFL celebration rule:

More from With the First Pick

"“This is not allowed in college. It’s not allowed in high school. It’s not allowed in Pop Warner. But now we set the tone as supposedly the idols, and kids are going to watch these acts again. And, to me, this is about the team, not the individual. They’re going to play to ESPN to see if they can get on the highlights. To me, it’s just a real step backward.”"

You can listen to the entire interview here: Pereira: NFL’s new stance on celebrations “A Step Back”.

In many ways I agree with what Mike Pereira is saying but in other ways I don’t.  Discouraging celebrations at the lower levels of the game is a display of sportsmanship and to teach kids not to draw attention to themselves but to the team.

Relaxing the celebration rules could be a negative influence on kids but the NFL is responding to what they believe their fans want to see.  Perhaps this is a way to combat the complaints of the NFL being the “No Fun League”.

Must Read: New Rule Changes Brings More Fun for Younger Fans

I think the league wants to try to set a good example for kids but that comes from their parents and coaches.  However, the NFL’s primary responsibility is to put on an entertaining product for their fans and the fans seem to want to see celebrations.

Also, this isn’t amateur football, so I think the fans can differentiate between what is appropriate conduct for kids and what’s appropriate for professional athletes.  But it’s up to the parents to teach their kids the difference.

Next: 5 Reasons New England Patriots repeat as Super Bowl champs

As long as the players don’t go overboard with it too much (and some will), I don’t think it’s a step backward.  If players become too vulgar or inappropriate with their celebrations, then the NFL can just dial the celebration rules back.

Home/NFL News