Football: OOO?

[sdix00]

Trailing by four with only 1:15 remaining, Louisville scored a touchdown to put them up by a score of 26-24. After the group celebration in the end zone dispersed, Alex Schooley and Gavin Lovejoy pointed to the sky as a tribute to a late friend who had passed away in a car accident only days before the season began. What was supposed to be a heartwarming gesture was viewed as anything but by the officials, who penalized Louisville for “excessive celebration.â€

http://www.fox8.com/videobeta/ad44da33-0318-4f6a-8c51-3f3a5f60c04b/News/Show-of-Emotion-Penalty

[JaxRolo]

Incredible!

[mstaylor]

Depends on if they actually called them for the points or the whole team in the endzone celebrating. It is very likely the crew was unaware of the kid's death. None the less, the pointing itself didn't seem to be EC. The problem lies in the fact that if the celebration is orchestrated then it becomes EC.

[sdix00]

With his team trailing by two in the final minutes of their championship game, Cathedral High School quarterback Matthew Owens appeared to be on the verge of securing his school’s first ever Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 4A football championship, as he called his own number on a quarterback draw and raced 55-yards into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown.

However, on his way to glory, Owens couldn’t help but raise his arm in celebration for less than a full second. That may not sound like much, but it was enough for the official standing in the end zone to throw the yellow flag for excessive celebration.

It was supposed to be a moment of joy for Owens, who was also celebrating his 18th birthday, but the unsportsmanlike penalty was not the birthday gift he had hoped for, as his touchdown was nullified and Blue Hills Regional Technical School escaped with the 16-14 victory.

While the game may have ended on Saturday, the argument is still alive, as several students, parents and coaches at Cathedral High have asked the school board for an explanation. As for the board, they are still waiting to see the game report from the officials before making a final decision, however, it does not appear as though they will be changing the ruling on the field.

So was this a case of excessive celebration? Or should the officials have allowed this celebration to slide?

Take a look at the video below and decide for yourself.

http://link.brightco...d=1311150163001

[mstaylor]

The problem is celebrations have gotten so out of hand that they are really pushing for the call. The last clip he may have gotten it because he did it before he got to the endzone and looked like an in your face gesture. In my opinion, if they are going to crack down on endzone celebrations then they need to do the same of sacks. Nothing looks dumber that a guy, after sacking the QB, celebrating like he just won the game and he is down by 30.

[LMSANS]

As a football official, without the advantage of the post game interviews, what I see is USC for putting up the #1 signal. NFHS interps are very clear that any activity that "draws attention to the player" is excessive celebration.

Take the emotion out of it, as you would for a baseball game. If I'm previously aware of the situation, I might have something else to do to get ready for the try, thus turning my back on the players.

[mstaylor]

Larry is supporting what I was saying, the celebrations, in every sport, have gotten so out of hand that they are writing rules to flag everything. They are taking the judgment out of it because the players have taken their judgment out of it. It starts at the pro level and them trying to get extra facetime by being idiots. As Larry says, if there is special circumstances, and you are aware of them, then you can choose to turn away. In the second clip, the kid did it before he got in the endzone so the official has to be watching. Finger pointing is very easily construed as taunting, generally it's pointing at opposing players but pointing up can be also.

[sdix00]

It just occurred to me that we don't see excessive celebration baseball much. Other than than the occasional fist pump or glaring at F1 for an extra beat on a HR, nothing.

I can't believe, with all the diva athletes, that we have yet to see the Icky Shuffle after stepping on HP. Maybe it's because the pitchers won't allow it, or maybe it's just the culture that the MLB players develop while on their way up.

Something is definitely different, though. Whatever the ball players are drinking, they need to share with their footballer counterparts.

[ukce1861]

It just occurred to me that we don't see excessive celebration baseball much. Other than than the occasional fist pump or glaring at F1 for an extra beat on a HR, nothing.

I can't believe, with all the diva athletes, that we have yet to see the Icky Shuffle after stepping on HP. Maybe it's because the pitchers won't allow it, or maybe it's just the culture that the MLB players develop while on their way up.

Something is definitely different, though. Whatever the ball players are drinking, they need to share with their footballer counterparts.

If a player hits too many homeruns, he gets plunked, without excessive celebration. Can you imagine what would happen if he did celebrate?

[mstaylor]

quote name='ukce1861' timestamp='1323302257' post='76828']

It just occurred to me that we don't see excessive celebration baseball much. Other than than the occasional fist pump or glaring at F1 for an extra beat on a HR, nothing.

I can't believe, with all the diva athletes, that we have yet to see the Icky Shuffle after stepping on HP. Maybe it's because the pitchers won't allow it, or maybe it's just the culture that the MLB players develop while on their way up.

Something is definitely different, though. Whatever the ball players are drinking, they need to share with their footballer counterparts.

If a player hits too many homeruns, he gets plunked, without excessive celebration. Can you imagine what would happen if he did celebrate?

In baseball all you have to do is look at a HR too long and you are getting plunked.