An in-depth analysis of David Njoku: Cleveland Browns Film Room
May 24, 2017
Tribe, Tunes and Transport – One Fan’s Memories: 1974
May 25, 2017It’s been a rough couple of weeks, you guys. The news is just… a lot lately, isn’t it? There are both horrible and frustrating things happening here and abroad and, at times, it can be overwhelming to scroll through a social media platform like Twitter and take it all in.
It’s easy to feel inundated with so much upsetting news swirling around, and lately I find myself looking for a little relief, retreating to @BabyAnmals on Instagram and all the corgi videos I can find on YouTube.
Desperate for a little good news, an unexpected source—the NFL—delivered this week. Never did I think the No Fun League, ahem National Football League, would surprise me with a little piece of positive news when I needed it, but here we are. Tuesday afternoon, NFL Commissioner and generally all-around-unpopular guy Roger Goodell made an announcement that will—I hope—have a huge impact on the league.
Following conversations with dozens of players, we’re making changes to our celebrations policy: https://t.co/1NLdEJjsGD
— Roger Goodell (@nflcommish) May 23, 2017
THAT’S RIGHT. NFL touchdown celebrations are back! Well, kind of. The rules around NFL touchdown celebrations are loosened, ya’ll! Call me a dork if you want (it wouldn’t be the first time), but I find myself very excited about this.
In an effort to put some “flair” and fun back into football. Goodell announced that certain types of touchdown celebrations would be allowed in the upcoming NFL season. Celebrations permitted include using the football as a prop, celebrating as a group and rolling around on the ground (snow angels, anyone?).
Any celebrations deemed offensive will still be penalized, including suggestive dancing (sorry, guys, still no twerking), ridiculing opponents and mimicking weapon use. But who wants to see those anyway?
Goodell cited conversations with more than 80 current and former NFL players in determining his decision, and shared the news via Twitter and in an email sent to NFL fans. An excerpt from that announcement:
We know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown. And players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.
Thank you for acknowledging that, Roger, we NFL fans do love spontaneous displays of emotion when it comes to football. We also don’t love unnecessary penalties or rules that prevent NFL players and fans alike from celebrating successes and generally enjoying ourselves at the game.
The NFL’s former rules around touchdown celebrations seemed overly harsh, inciting as much as 15 penalty yards and striking a nerve with those on and off the field. I’ve even read that NFL referees have complained about the severity of the rules, stating that it puts them in difficult (and often unpopular) situations when deciding what’s allowed and what’s not.
And while these new, loosened-up rules aren’t perfect, and they certainly aren’t and exact, they feel like step in the right direction.
Twitter can be a funny place, and I was admittedly surprised to see this news was met with a lot of cynicism on social media. I came across a lot of tweets expression feelings of “Too little, too late” and “Who cares? You already ruined it. We can’t enjoy it now.” I get that, but I also don’t. Why not just enjoy it? When you’re a little kid and you’re told not to run, you listen and you walk. Then, you probably break into a full sprint the minute you can. This is kind of the same thing. The rules were harsh, but now they’re not. Let’s relax and have some fun.
After all, touchdown celebrations are just that, a small celebration. They’re a moment for players to express themselves, and a moment for fans to enjoy. We’re getting them back—at least a little bit—and to me, that’s something to celebrate.
Before you take on your Thursday, here’s former Cleveland Brown Andrew Hawkins doing the robot (kind of) after catching an 11-yard pass from Cody Kessler for a TD. You can see more great celebrations here, courtesy of Charles Curis at USA TODAY. Enjoy, you guys.
Cody Kessler to Andrew Hawkins… That's an 11-yard @Browns TD! #NEvsCLE https://t.co/sFwGdtfeld
— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2016
53 Comments
https://i.imgflip.com/1poz8z.jpg
Lyle !!!!
ooh , goody … football with Flair … https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/81478cd482a490fed1a784db33c6313e0eb60e33f487268892ac4e426b702a0a.gif
Approving “spontaneous displays of emotion to celebrate athletic achievements” is the most NFL way this could have been stated, lol. At least they didn’t create a list of pre-approved celebrations for players to choose from and memorize. Snark aside, I’m glad for this. The rules had gotten downright oppressive, and the last thing anybody wants to see is significant
effects on games over how somebody danced in the end zone, or where somebody tossed a ball.
fat guys can get down too … https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/51ae0206aeab4f847f9f879ff61a80756dbbe8a761493c51c8b3d106aa0669f6.gif
pelvic thrusting is always good … https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4fba221ca55daaf346c63a4e5b51ea8dc0d0f31e4f9192f544c7840475958ec8.gif
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c116806b458b2f1fae540d5d00e1ff6297d5a1cabaa3fadfd1eb221c0157f1cb.gif
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c7415489c5fb97534b56f1ce03e6f37f52a1d02fad9a48bb5ebc50f62b7d360b.gif
hey , “the Carlton” … yeah, baby … https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/170623f1d4773812fdb216575b4a4de0b565d67837c812959c2ac34ec81a2bb2.gif
Did they legalize tossing the football back to the ref after a first down, or is that still a 15 yard penalty?
who says white guys can’t bust a move ?? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/705383bf7268fe65c39e6d424caf70eb34c02a6b2031a7ca73dc27357cdac2d2.gif
https://youtu.be/omSZ7Y0AxNk?t=53
http://i51.tinypic.com/2vmy9w5.jpg
No weaponry? Watson declares that this celebration is pulling a Stretch Armstrong to maximum stretch.
https://media.giphy.com/media/3o6Zt21VltyBfwTMiY/giphy.gif
http://i55.tinypic.com/2cel05i.jpg
Legal for all teams except Browns
https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/key-and-peele-touchdown-celebration.gif?w=500
https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/key-and-peele-touchdown-celebration-b.gif
Joe Horn claims this was like totally spontaneous
https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-01-2015/E0QcWx.gif
LMFAO !!!!
Yes, we must clarify celebrations, because, you know, we have that “catch” thing down pat.
we didn’t get to see this too often , now did we ?? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8c6bdd2926e82a6e2e048bdb6b4d5bfc85e40c7eba4fdd65c90f88af51028608.gif
I think we may have transferred those rights to Washington.
I remember seeing for every first down he made. Like all 3 of them.
this was his most famous dance … https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/741a13499dd82e6ccb9b69af4992e8fa5a17e4ac8de0e31410e3b652c1fd40b5.gif
Best ever…
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love it !!!!
I can’t read the name. Is that White Shoes?
Cmon, man!
That’s Billy White Shoes Johnson.
He was my hero, when I was like 6.
everybody remembers this one … though it wasn’t THAT great https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/da334e0ed0817a7f01aa547ae7806f8bee7911f8ba41763a35d1e30ce3eb2b68.gif …
Ok, on a non-celebratory note, the Browns hired the same dude they soaked in the Trent trade.
https://media.giphy.com/media/CXAPW8vCQzYkg/giphy.gif
I’m at the age where the jpf compulator is out support and no longer getting updates. Random Salazar advanced pitching stats are replacing former Oilers that would torch the Browns.
Grigson was a terrible GM, but he was a good scout, which is why he was promoted to GM. Putting him back in a more scouting role is a good idea, no?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f51836f474b2ee4e665ccc455c6a2c14ae37c075d02b63b0e9fa544c88ab2c77.gif
I prefer when he celebrates cold cuts
It’d be interesting to know if his role will keep him primarily on the road. They have to know players hated him.
If he was such a great scout, how come he didn’t see Trent had the field vision of Helen Keller?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e680a88e3136753086a5e10727c49017e2bf74b98d090c2e2ebe4565acbf8221.gif
Then good thing we let the perpetrator walk in free agency.
Don’t be a hater. Helen Keller overcame her problems.
Maybe so, but she was always terrible at picking up the blitz.
Which offensive tackle protects her blind side?
Ah..the only touchdown Tavon ever scored! Good for him…
(is bitter because he’s been on my fantasy team more than I care to admit.)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uXEkZuwRBfQ
https://m.imgur.com/gallery/0PRVp3a
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Right. There is nothing spontaneous about any of these celebrations. A spontaneous celebration is when you jump around in joy and hug teammates. Acting out your scripted routine is not spontaneous.
The Seahawks always keep it classy.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/94558cc726458b9767fce7203a9cf3bd59c8e8b0dbdd12d729dff5ffd038736c.jpg
He’s clearly laying an egg, much like the namsake bird.
This Gif wins!