© 2025 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

NFL Loosens Rules On End-Zone Celebrations After Touchdowns

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

For years, NFL players have grumbled that NFL stands for No Fun League. A big part of that was the league's increasing intolerance of touchdown celebrations, the dancing in the end zones. Well, some fun is coming back. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced yesterday that certain celebrations will be allowed. NPR's Tom Goldman reflects on the return of pro football's touchdown jubilation.

TOM GOLDMAN, BYLINE: Three-point-six - that's the average number of touchdowns per game by the Atlanta Falcons last season - only 3.6. And that was tops in the NFL. In other words, the most important part of a football game really doesn't happen that much. And think about all that leads up to that rare moment - the blocking, hitting, crunching, the risk to limb, brain and, yes, life. The dangers of football have been well-documented in recent years. So when you get through all that and an opponent doing everything they can to stop you - when you break through and cross the goal line, of course you want to dance like Billy White Shoes Johnson did in the 1970s and '80s or Victor Cruz does in today's NFL.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER #1: Caught for the touchdown - time to salsa.

GOLDMAN: Now, of course a few players over the years have turned end zone celebrations into performance art. Steve Smith Sr. changed a ball's diaper. Terrell Owens has taken a nap with the ball as a pillow, grabbed popcorn and eaten it in the end zone, pulled a sharpie from his sock and autographed the football for a fan and dropped a ball into a Salvation Army kettle in the end zone.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER #2: That's his donation to the Salvation Army Red Kettle drive.

GOLDMAN: Over the years, a lot of fans laughed at the show while the penalty flags flew.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

UNIDENTIFIED REFEREE: Unsportsmanlike conduct, excessive celebration, number 22.

GOLDMAN: No fun. But now get ready for players without fear using the football as a prop after touchdowns, players celebrating on the ground - yay, snow angels - and group demonstrations. With OTAs - organized team activities - underway as part of offseason training, it wouldn't be surprising if ideas for new and hilarious group demonstrations are starting to percolate.

Now, before we crown Roger Goodell the new cool dad of the NFL letting the kids have their fun, he of course has his limits. Prolonged celebrations that delay a game, celebrations directed at an opponent - hey, nobody likes a jerk - and what Goodell calls offensive demonstrations - Antonio Brown and you other pelvis thrusters, we're talking to you - all of that stuff still will get a penalty flag. But in a few months, the 2017 season should be the start or return of something fun - still dangerous as hell but fun. Tom Goldman, NPR News.

(SOUNDBITE OF RJD2'S "DESCENDED FROM MYTH") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Tom Goldman is NPR's sports correspondent. His reports can be heard throughout NPR's news programming, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and on NPR.org.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.