Ross: Roger Goodell isn’t as bad as Principal Skinner after all
May 24, 2017, 8:20 AM | Updated: 8:21 am
Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett was penalized for his "expressive" sack dance last season. (AP)
(AP)
Celebrations in the end zone began innocently in 1965 when the New York Giants’ Homer Jones flung the ball at the ground after a touchdown and called it a “spike.”
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Pretty soon players were doing the boogie spike, the boogie without the spike, moonwalks, the electric slide, the Shuffle until the NFL realized these celebrations were violating the sacred dignity of the game.
So in 1984, it prohibited “excessive, premeditated celebration” in the end zone.
Then it banned celebrations outside the end zone.
Then, in 2003, Saints wide receiver Joe Horn hid a flip phone near the goal posts so he could call his son after a touchdown, and use of any foreign object was banned.
It’s like the league was run by Principal Skinner from “The Simpsons.”
But it’s actually not run by Principal Skinner, it’s run by Roger Goodell, who turns out to be more fun than we thought – because he announced on Tuesday that the celebrations are back.
“I think the players will do this in a way that I think is entertaining but also respectful,” he said.
So the Funky Chicken, group high-fives, snow angels – perfectly fine, as long as they’re respectful. As in no pelvic thrusts. Or at least not more than two.
I predict within five years you won’t be able to tell the difference between a touchdown, and an episode of Americas Got Talent.
“I’m gonna straddle your body like this, then I’m gonna start juggling these items right over your face. John is gonna jump over both of us and land on the other side of your head.”
Sounds like six points to me.
