Written by Kayln Kahler at MMQB.com
The NFL’s competition committee will examine the excessive celebration penalty this weekend at the annual league meetings in Phoenix. The current rule was widely criticized last season for its inconsistent application and harsh restrictions. Players were flagged for innocent celebrations such as hugging a referee, pretending to take a nap in the end zone, and making a snow angel. According to data compiled by the NFL, there were 30 excessive celebration penalties called in 2016. Over the previous three seasons combined, there were 34.
A quick refresher of what’s appropriate and what’s not: Spiking and spinning the ball is allowed, but using the ball in any other way as a prop is not. Going to the ground is outlawed, but if you scored on the ground, you can stay there. Individual dancing that isn’t sexual in nature is acceptable, but if another teammate joins in on the fun and mimics the move, it’s illegal. No violent acts, no prolonged celebrations, no unnecessary contact with an official.
How many seconds is a prolonged celebration? And how does an official determine if a celebration is choreographed or if players are just feeding off each other’s energy? In response to the ambiguous definition, the league is developing an educational training video for players to clarify the rules of celebrations—and considering allowing officials more flexibility in issuing warnings to players before flagging them. This is good news for Washington tight end Vernon Davis, Houston cornerback Kevin Johnson and Carolina wide receiver Devin Funchess, three players who were hit with the penalty in 2016. Davis shot the ball through the uprights (using the ball as a prop); Johnson danced on the field with teammates (choreographed/prolonged celebration), and Funchess joined in on teammate Kelvin Benjamin’s celebration (choreographed). The MMQB spoke to the three offenders about their understanding of the rule, why celebrations are important to the game and how they would rewrite the rule if they had a chance.
KAHLER: Each of you was flagged for excessive celebration last year. Describe what happened from your perspective.
DEVIN FUNCHESS [Panthers]: Week 2 vs. 49ers. I saw Kelvin [Benjamin] do a dance the first game [at Denver], and this was the second game and it was a nice little dance and I thought it was cool. Kelvin was coming off an injury and that kind of confidence is good, so we come to the home game and he scored at home in front of the home fans and he did his dance. I was like, Damn, that’s sweet, so I came in towards the end of it, and they threw the flag. I was just happy that my guy scored and he got that confidence back. It was funny, after we got to the sideline, he said, ‘Yeah, that’s the Pause On ’Em. He called it the freeze on ‘em, the Pause on ’Em. That last motion at the end, where we have one hand on our chest and one out in front, that’s like pause, like freeze.
KEVIN JOHNSON [Texans]: Week 2 vs. Chiefs. It was the second game of the season and I got an interception in the second series of the game, so I was really excited. I caught the interception and I just started dancing in the circle and then all the defensive backs ran up to me—and they started doing the same exact thing I was doing. We were doing it for a little too long, like we probably we’re doing it for 10 or 15 seconds. We were at the 50-yard line dancing, and then the referee threw the flag and O.B. [head coach Bill O’Brien] was pissed. Also, my interception got called back too, because someone jumped offside on the defense, so it was just a big loss all around. I didn’t get the interception, coach is mad, and I got like a $12,000 fine for it.
VERNON DAVIS [Washington]: Week 6 vs. Eagles, Davis’ first touchdown since 2014. I thought it would be fine. I scored, so I shot the ball, like I’ve always done. Then I got a flag, so I figured I couldn’t do it.
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