The NFL officially has "taken steps to bring a little spontaneous fun back" with a newly "revised policy that relaxes several of the strict rules" the league had against player celebrations, according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. The league yesterday during its owners' meeting in Chicago acknowledged that things had "gotten too stuffy and that players and fans often enjoy the celebrations after touchdowns and other big plays." The NFL "settled on the new policy after speaking with nearly 100 current and former players." There also was "input from coaches, fans, and officials." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, "This is part of the whole effort of us in game presentation: How do we make the game more engaging for our fans? The thing I heard from several players was they really enjoyed having the voice to express their views.” Volin notes celebrations that "involve taunting an opposing player or bench will still result in a 15-yard penalty and a fine, as will celebrations that are sexually explicit or invoke violence." Goodell said that the players were "adamant in wanting to ban finger-pointing and standing over opponents." Celebration aspects that are now allowed are "using the football as a prop after a touchdown," celebrating on the ground and "group demonstrations, choreographed or otherwise." NFL Senior VP/Officiating Alberto Riveron "acknowledged that there is still plenty of gray area in determining which celebrations are allowable." However, he said that the officials were "in favor of the changes" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/24). Falcons President & CEO Rich McKay, who also serves as NFL Competition Committee Chair, endorsed the new guidelines and said the "pendulum had swung a long way" in restricting players too much. The AP's Jim Litke noted there is "no set time limit on how long such celebrations can continue." However, the "40-second play clock will begin once an official signals a touchdown and teams will have to snap the ball for their extra-point play at the end of the clock" (AP, 5/23).
RELAXATION STATION: THE MMQB's Emily Kaplan reported a "theme has emerged" in recent months of a "less contentious relationship between the players and the league office." Goodell is "making a more concerted effort to open dialogue with players," and loosening the celebration rules is "clearly a byproduct of that" (MMQB.SI.com, 5/23). NFL Network’s Judy Battista noted her “biggest takeaway” from the owners meeting was “how much collaboration there was" between Goodell, the league office and players on the celebration rule changes. The collaboration began when Goodell "did a fan forum with some players during Super Bowl week in Houston, and then they’ve been talking to players." Battista: "They said up to 100 players they collaborated with to get their input on the celebration rules, and I was told this went so well they want to keep doing it. Goodell wants to keep talking to players to get their input on other league matters to bridge the gap” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 5/23). ESPN's Jackie MacMullan noted this issue was the "loudest and most vociferous thing that all the players complained about." Goodell "capitulated to this because it's an easy one to do." MacMullan: "It doesn't cost you anything" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 5/23). USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes the league has "gone against the grain in ways" that NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith can "only hope will surface at the bargaining table when they get to talking about a new labor deal." NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent said that he "sensed that owners were pleased that the relaxed rule was the result of input from a wide range of stakeholders" (USA TODAY, 5/24).
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO BOOST RATINGS? ESPN's Adam Schefter notes the relaxed approach toward celebrations comes after the NFL "looked at all the ways it can boost" television ratings. Schefter: "One season after ratings were down, they've tried to increase the pace of the game, get rid of commercials, take fewer breaks. This also, I think, is a part of that. This makes the game more fun, and fun usually attracts viewers, and viewers mean ratings" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 5/24). FS1's Shannon Sharpe said, "The NFL was wise in this. You know why? They saw the ratings. ... If they want these sponsors and endorsers to keep writing those big, big checks, the fans and eyeballs need to be watching and their butts need to be in the stadium” (“Undisputed,” FS1, 5/24).
EVERYBODY HAVE FUN TONIGHT: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Michael David Smith noted the NFL last year "went way too far in policing celebrations." This year players will be "encouraged to have a little fun" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 5/23). ESPN's Field Yates: "This is a fun league, this is a league that has an incredible number of players that we should celebrate the personality, the individuality, the creativity of. ... Common sense prevailed here. It's a good thing for the league” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 5/24). ESPN's Sarah Spain: "Thank goodness we're not worrying about something stupid like how much fun the players are having in one of their 16 games" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 5/23). ESPN.com's Todd Archer wrote, "The No Fun League has decided to put some fun back into the game, provided it's tasteful, doesn't last too long and isn't directed at an opponent" (ESPN.com, 5/23). In California, Ryan Kartje writes, "After punishing it for years, fun is now apparently on-brand for the NFL" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/24). USA TODAY's Bell writes, "So there. Can't call it the No Fun League anymore" (USA TODAY, 5/24). In Chicago, Adam Jahns: "The NFL can't be called the 'No Fun League' anymore" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/24).
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM: In Cincinnati, Jim Owczarski noted Bengals coach Marvin Lewis "wasn’t in favor" of allowing more celebrations. Lewis: "We had a good standard and the whole standard has always been you want to teach people how to play the game the correct way and go about it the correct way, and that’s not a very good example for young people" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 5/24). Goodell responded to Lewis' criticism by saying, "We've had these discussions over the last couple years. And I think the players will prove him wrong on that. I think the players will do this in a way that will be responsible, show good sportsmanship, and do it in a way I think is entertaining but also respectful" (NFL.com, 5/23).
