It's not a new thing in the NFL. In fact, it's been around for many years. Of course, I'm talking about the post-touchdown celebrations that have become as ubiquitous as massive (and massively) tattooed arms around the league. What began as a momentary burst of triumph and celebration has become, for me, an over-the-top, over-planned, over-hyped, PLEASE LOOK AT ME, juvenile farce.
My recollection leads me to the great wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the late 1960's, Otis Taylor, who would defiantly "spike" the ball after scoring on one of his scintillating catch and runs as one of the first to do anything but hand the ball directly to the official. Even that rather, by today's standards, timid display was frowned upon by many who complained it was "bush league". Despite the criticism, more and more players employed some version of the defiant spike as a post-scoring celebration. It began to shift to theater of the absurd in the 70's with the diminutive and exciting wide receiver for the then Houston Oilers, Billy White Shoes Johnson. Johnson was tiny by NFL standards, only 5'9" and 170 lbs., but he was quick and fearless. He could break games open with his speed as a pass receiver and kick returner. He certainly was one of the most dynamic players in the game at that time. When he scored, which was pretty often, he would break into what I can only describe as a Charlestonesque dance by bowing his legs in and out, signature white shoes flashing, while he lifted his hands to the crowd to receive their adulation - or scorn. I remember that it caused controversy but also a great deal of IMITATION. More and more players began to create more and more ways to celebrate not only the scoring of a touchdown, but any good play they made. As the years went by, players found more ways to be "unique" in their celebrations. Everyone just spiking the ball just wouldn't do. It had to be something attributable only to that athlete. It gave me mixed feelings. In a way, I could see that it was fun to do. At that time, in addition to organized sports, we also played a great deal of sandlot football where we were not inhibited by the rules of convention. I promise you that ANYONE who scored on the sandlot did a Billy White Shoes Johnson imitation.- I certainly did my share!
But outside of the sandlot it was frowned upon and, in many ways, with understandable reason. First, even though you may have completed the play with a score and your personal skill had a lot to do with it, you most certainly did not get to the end zone by yourself. To receive all the adulation of the crowd by calling that much attention to just yourself is simply selfish. I've also heard it said by the likes of the great Barry Sanders, who never did anything to celebrate a score but give the ball back to the official, that one should act like they're used to being there. That they've been there before and will be there again. That always made sense to me and stuck with me. Another factor to consider is the very concept of fair play and, that, in most cultures means respect for your opponent. Being a very mediocre defensive back in my playing days, I remember the sting of being beaten badly for a touchdown by a kid who was 5 X's as fast as me and twice as athletic - often. And I remember the embarrassment of it. The last thing I needed at that time was for the conquering hero to break into a jitter bug in the end zone after frying my ass!!
Through the years, Johnson's bow-legged dance was replaced by more and more outlandish displays on unfettered joy. In fact, what was once considered outrageous was replaced by behavior that made Johnson's act look tame. The "art" of the post-touchdown celebration was nudged to new heights in recent years by two of the most outrageous of them all: Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. Both went to great lengths to plan their TD celebrations and came up with some of the most creative routines ever. I get the joy but I've never gotten the need to bring so much attention to oneself. And more and more players are trying to outdo that nefarious duo. The latest post TD artitste is Steve Johnson of The Buffalo Bills. His latest post TD antics drew the ire of the league, team officials, and fans around the league not only for the outlandish nature of the celebrations but for their timing as well; The Bills were behind in each game and wound up losing all of them. I saw a few of them (some were not even following TD's) and was amazed that a grown man would even WANT to act that way. It kind of reminded me of being 10 or 12 again on the sandlot. Perhaps some would say that's the point - it's the pure joy of being a kid again. But Johnson is not a kid in a sandlot. He is an adult playing in the NFL before hundreds of thousands of people. IMHO he should simply be embarassed for acting like a child.
And I am not alone in feeling that things have gotten out of hand. The League itself has made rule changes to inhibit some forms of what it sees as outrageous on-field behavior. It has created penalties to inhibit "excessive celebration" and "taunting" (as was shamelessly exhibited by DeSean Jackson of the Eagles on the Giants sideline a few weeks ago). Although supported by many, detractors say that rules like these create a stodgy atmosphere of a NoFunLeague.
Interestingly, race, as it does in so much of our daily lives, must be considered here, too. Without question, the great majority of football players executing the most outlandish celebrations are African-Americans. It's always been that way and it still is. It's interesting to see that, even here, the differences in the races and the culture that drives them, is often misunderstood by both races. Most (but certainly not ALL) people who frown on this type of behavior are white. Many African-Americans see the celebrations as expressions of joy and creativity. Simply put they feel that it's creative, exuberant fun. Certainly, many blacks see it as having gone "over the top" (more on that later, too) but, by and large, support it as a harmless means of expression. White Americans are more apt to look at the negative aspects of the behavior i.e. it's selfish; you didn't get there alone, and it degrades your opponent, showing poor sportsmanship.
As with most things, I can see both sides presenting valid points of view. However, again as I see most things, the solution can be found in both sides giving a little and, therefore, gaining a little. I think that anyone who scores in the NFL deserves to celebrate it. Scoring an NFL touchdown, when you consider the level of competition, is a great accomplishment. Great accomplishments deserve to be lauded and celebrated. However, there has to be a matter of degree. One should be able to exult in his success, share it with teammates and fans, while not making a jackass out of one's self, act like a 12 year old, and, thereby, not degrade your opponent at the same time. Race has nothing to do with it for me. It's all about maturity. Show that you belong in every sense of the word. Don't act like a rube. Be bold. Be a man - not a 12 year-old, and celebrate your ass off! And you should certainly know the difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment