http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/18/sports/football/nfl-celebration-penalties-josh-norman-vernon-davis.html 2016-10-17 17:37:02 No Joy in Football? N.F.L. Celebration Penalties Rise Sharply The league says it has not changed its rules on celebrations; it has only asked officials to pay more attention to enforcing the existing rules. === When Andrew Hawkins of the Browns caught a touchdown pass against the Patriots in Week 5, his reaction was unexpected. He came to a stop, then stiffly placed the ball on the turf and The mechanical performance, Hawkins later acknowledged, was in response to the “Everything you do gets fined nowadays, right?” Hawkins Celebration penalties are up sharply this season. The league says it has not changed its rules, but has made excessive celebration a “point of emphasis,” essentially asking officials to pay extra attention to enforcing the existing rules. And that has meant the flags, and fines, are flying. Antonio Brown of the Steelers was penalized and fined in Week 1 for Josh Norman of the Redskins got a penalty and a fine for miming And the old standbys are still being enforced rigidly: Vernon Davis of the Redskins was flagged for shooting the ball through the uprights like a jumpshot after a touchdown Sunday, and Odell Beckham Jr. was penalized for taking off his helmet on the field late in the Giants game Sunday. ESPN reported Dean Blandino, the N.F.L.’s senior vice president for officiating, responded to some of the criticism with an “The rule hasn’t changed in terms of what is and what isn’t taunting,” he said, and insisted “we’re not trying to legislate emotion out of the game.” He said that “anything that mimics a violent act” and “anything that mimics weaponry” would be an automatic penalty. This explains why the bow and arrow by Norman was penalized, while Brady’s move, which was interpreted as a tribute to Usain Bolt’s lightning bolt celebratory gesture, was O.K. A lightning bolt has not been regularly used as a weapon since Zeus. “I have my reasons as to why I shoot it, too, you know?” Brandin Cooks of the Saints’ own bow-and-arrow gesture has eluded penalties. “The reason for why I’m doing it and what’s behind why I’m doing it doesn’t have anything to do with violence,” Whether dancing draws a foul depends on the nature of the dance. “When it’s sexually suggestive, that’s a penalty,” Blandino said. A celebration in general crosses the line “if it’s choreographed, if it’s excessive, if it’s prolonged.” The N.F.L. video shows Victor Cruz of the Giants dancing after a touchdown against the Cowboys. “The salsa dance is fine,” Blandino said. “But then when his teammate comes and takes the Polaroid picture, that’s a choreographed demonstration.” Blandino said he believed letting colorful celebrations slide could lead to a slippery slope. “Believe me, if we let this go it will continue to build and players will continue to try to outdo each other,” he said. ”It leads to altercations.” Still, Blandino hastened to point out that many gestures and celebrations were acceptable. The N.F.L. rule book says that “players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations or demonstrations while on the ground.” But Blandino said, He also assured viewers, “Hugs are always legal.” Rule 12 Section 3 Article 1 of the rule book specifies a two-tier system for celebration penalties. Some actions are expressly forbidden, including “throat slash; machine-gun salute; sexually-suggestive gestures; prolonged gyrations; or stomping on a team logo.” Another list forbids activities only if they are directed at an opponent: “Sack dances; home run swing; Incredible Hulk; spiking the ball; spinning the ball; throwing or shoving the ball; pointing; pointing the ball; verbal taunting; military salute; standing over an opponent (prolonged and with provocation); or dancing.” Carlos Hyde of the 49ers was hit with a taunting penalty after The N.F.L. sees itself as setting a good example. “There are many many kids out there that are N.F.L. fans, who are playing football and they see our athletes and they mimic what they do,” Blandino said. Blandino said he did not expect the torrent of penalties to continue: “Fouls go up initially, and then as the players start to regulate their behavior and they understand where the bar is, we start to see the foul numbers go down.” Despite trying to stamp out the more flamboyant celebrations, the N.F.L. has not been especially hesitant to promote them on social media. A video celebrating the “ The N.F.L.’s list includes an appearance by the acknowledged master of the celebration, Terrell Owens, who last played in 2010. Owens pulled a pen from his sock and The Golden Age of N.F.L. celebrations is also remembered for Ickey Woods’s dance, the In the current N.F.L. climate, shows like these are likely to be rare, and costly. Get used to seeing celebrations more like Hawkins and Sanders’s and less like Owens’s in the weeks ahead.