NFL loosens celebration rules
By Justin McGonigle
Antonio Brown was fined twice last season for individual dance sessions that the NFL deemed to be sexually suggestive after scoring a touchdown. The fines totaled $36,465. This season the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell have given Brown and the rest of the NFL the green light to dance their hearts out. Among the allowed moves are group celebrations, the use of the football as a prop, falling to the ground, which includes making snow angels which was prohibited in the past.
Though Brown has been given the blessing to dance from Commissioner Goodell he still won’t be allowed to twerk or do anything that is deemed inappropriate by the NFL. The following is a portion of the press release that the Commissioner released to the fans.
Just as NFL teams use the offseason to get better, at the league we use this time to listen to players, coaches, officials and fans about how we can continue to improve our great game.
Earlier this spring, we announced plans to deliver a more exciting game experience, with changes to improve the pace of the game and minimize unnecessary disruptions to the action on the field. We also took important steps on health and safety, including approving new rules prohibiting the "leaper" block attempt—a top priority from our players.
Today, we are excited to tell you about another change that comes after conversations with more than 80 current and former players: we are relaxing our rules on celebrations to allow players more room to have fun after they make big plays.
We know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown. And players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.
Brown posted a video to his social media accounts earlier this week from the Commissioners office after they had a meeting over the issue. Brown and coach Mike Tomlin were very vocal about not understanding what celebrations were deemed inappropriate after former Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders did a similar dance to Brown and wasn’t fined.
@nflcommish pic.twitter.com/XHM60hRYoT
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) June 19, 2017
Throughout the NFL season last year their were 30 demonstration penalties given out during games.
