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NFL's commissioner hopes to clean-up league
BY TAJEN STOCKDALE
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
In March 2006, the NFL attempted to somewhat revive the level of sportsmanship in the game by penalizing teams for holding excessive touchdown celebrations in the end zone. NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, has made it a priority to clean up the league.
Hefty suspensions have molded his legacy as commissioner, and Goodell has shown his priority by dropping the hammer on Adam "Pacman" Jones, Chris Henry and Terry "Tank" Johnson.
In recent years, many players have been involved in various end zone celebrations that draw a ridiculous amount of attention. For example, Terrell Owens is responsible for two of the most memorable touchdown celebrations in the NFL. In 2002, after scoring a touchdown against the Seahawks, Owens signed the ball with a Sharpie marker he hid in his sock.
Later that season against the Packers, Owens used a pair of pom-poms he took from a cheerleader to celebrate. Owens has also taunted his opponents on occasion. After scoring against the Ravens in 2004, Owens proceeded to mock Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis's celebration dance from Super Bowl XXXV.
Owens has been surpassed, however, by fellow receiver Chad Johnson as the most self-
centered star in football. Johnson currently has 448 yards receiving, along with three touchdowns. Over the past three seasons, Johnson has been one of the most dominating receivers in all of football. From 2004-2006, Johnson caught 25 touchdown receptions while racking up over 4,000 yards receiving.
However, being good isn't enough for Johnson. He needs the whole world to know that he is the best. Each season, Johnson comes up with new ways to celebrate after scoring. A few of Johnson's celebrations include: a poor Michael Flatly River dance impression, trying to pose for fake photographers and unrolling a sign that asked the NFL not to fine him anymore.
Sure, some of these celebrations are quite comical. However, these celebrations take away from what a team game is, and draw attention toward the individual, violating one of the most spoken of clich's in sports: "There's no I in team." In the preseason, Johnson discussed with the press on numerous occasions the various celebrations he plans to unveil this season.
Instead of talking about the first Monday night game of the year, matching a top five offense against a top five defense, fans and writers were more worried about what Johnson was planning on doing after scoring. Sure enough, after scoring in the first quarter of the game, Johnson unveiled his much anticipated celebration by putting on a Hall of Fame jacket on the sideline. The celebration was a pathetic attempt to carry through with his arrogant preseason promise.
The worst part about this celebration is that Johnson was too busy taking in the fans' reaction to his jacket to pay attention to the fact that his team missed the ensuing point after. Just last week, Johnson brought his self-obsessed attitude to Cleveland. After scoring his second touchdown of the game, Johnson leapt into an eagerly awaiting group of angry Browns fans, only to be slapped and have beer spilled on him. Johnson finished the game with over 200-yards to go with his two scores. However, the team lost. Johnson was probably still satisfied.
Johnson's problem is that he thinks he is better than the game. He is by far one of the most explosive players, but imagine what he could be if he didn't spend half his time practicing touchdown dances. If he spent that time focusing on football, he could become one of the best receivers of all time.
What ever happened to those dominating players who just did what they were paid to do on the field? Why can't players simply be good and leave it at that? Barry Sanders, arguably the greatest running back ever, never once celebrated a touchdown in excessive fashion; he simply handed the ball to the referee.
Marvin Harrison is ranked fourth of all-time in receiving yards and third in touchdowns. Not only is Harrison one of the best players in the NFL, but he is also one of the classiest. He doesn't celebrate; he lets his play do the talking for him. He shows the world who he is by performing at an incredible level, and leaves it at that.
The NFL has tried to cut back on celebrations by penalizing teams 15-yards for excessive celebration, which can include using the ball as a prop. Owens was just fined $7,500 last week for using the ball as a camera, mocking the Patriots videotaping scandal. I'll admit, I laughed when Steve Smith mocked the Viking's love boat scandal in 2005 by rowing a fake boat in the end zone.
However, Johnson has taken his arrogance to another level by focusing all attention on his celebration; a minor, unnecessary act that has nothing to do with the game itself.
Tajen Stockdale is at
stoc0152@d.umn.edu.
