PENALTIES: Individual Vs. Team Celebrations

[SkapePhin]

I find it odd how "team" celebrations (Such as the Booker/Chambers Alley Oop) are penalized, yet individual celebrations are not (Unless of course you are Randy McMichael)

You would think that in a sport and a culture that attempts to shun individualism, the team celebrations would be more accepted, but, the opposite is true. Chad Johnson can perform every type of celebration conceivable at his heart's content without drawing a penalty. He may get fined, but not ever a penalty.

So how, in a moment of achievement, cannot two teamates celebrate together? Is it not about building team chemistry? Loving, trusting, fighting for your compatriots? So why penalize when they have a little fun together? But not do a thing when the glory hog does a show and dance by his lonesome?

The NFL needs some consistency in how they do things.

 

[Hellion]

I find it odd how "team" celebrations (Such as the Booker/Chambers Alley Oop) are penalized, yet individual celebrations are not (Unless of course you are Randy McMichael)

You would think that in a sport and a culture that attempts to shun individualism, the team celebrations would be more accepted, but, the opposite is true. Chad Johnson can perform every type of celebration conceivable at his heart's content without drawing a penalty. He may get fined, but not ever a penalty.

So how, in a moment of achievement, cannot two teamates celebrate together? Is it not about building team chemistry? Loving, trusting, fighting for your compatriots? So why penalize when they have a little fun together? But not do a thing when the glory hog does a show and dance by his lonesome?

The NFL needs some consistency in how they do things.

The penelty on McMike was for taunting not celebrating. And I think any premeditaded acts or celebrations should be kept on the sidelines were it belongs.
Team celebrations? Well your too young to remember the 80s' celebrations like the Redskins fun bunch and many other but some teams had celebrations for the OL and the WRs and the RBs then the sack dances and all that crap made the games drag out way too long.
I watched a Jets Rams game where Mark Gasteneau sacked Jim Everett and did his dance and a fight broke out with the OLman he beat and then both benches cleared like a hockey game or baseball game.
It just got out of hand.

 

[SkapePhin]

The penelty on McMike was for taunting not celebrating. And I think any premeditaded acts or celebrations should be kept on the sidelines were it belongs.
Team celebrations? Well your too young to remember the 80s' celebrations like the Redskins fun bunch and many other but some teams had celebrations for the OL and the WRs and the RBs then the sack dances and all that crap made the games drag out way too long.
I watched a Jets Rams game where Mark Gasteneau sacked Jim Everett and did his dance and a fight broke out with the OLman he beat and then both benches cleared like a hockey game or baseball game.
It just got out of hand.

Thats why I say consistency. Penalize TO, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith everytime they celebrate then too.. It seems like the NFL Network even REWARDS these celebrations.. THe NFL doesnt know what to do with itself.

Also, I saw some Redskin player do exactly what McMichael did, only he started doing at the 5 yard line.. but no call. NFL refs, most inconsistent refs ever.

 

[Hellion]

I agree the inconsistancy is terrible. That's why I say keep it on the sidelines. For some reason they put that rule in so one player can celebrate a TD and I assume it's a spiked ball or a quick dance or something like that and like anything else you give an inch and they take a mile. That's why the league won't allow group celebrations anymore because of the fact that the players turn it into a broadway show.

My concern is...
Why do it when you know what the rule is?
Why take the chance when the players know the refs are inconsistant with the calls?
Why put your team in a situation to be penilized 15 yards when you are only up by 12 points and give them the ball in good field position?

Our players don't use their heads sometimes, if they wanna do it wait until it's a big lead with little time, don't give them any advantage, but that's what our players have done.