NFL Has Gone Overboard With These Celebration Penalties

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) dances in the end zone after his touchdown in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has gone overboard cracking down on these celebrations. They are now preventing spinning the football and all kinds of other things. Here is the list of things that will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty this season, per Pro Football Talk:

“These acts include but are not limited to: sack dances; home run swing; incredible hulk; spiking the ball; throwing or shoving the ball; pointing; pointing the ball; verbal taunting; military salute; standing over an opponent (prolonged and with provocation; or dancing.”

I think they forgot to add a few more things. Players are not allowed to smile, yell, frown, talk, hug, high five or chew gum.

What kind of ridiculousness are they taking away from the players? What the heck is the incredible hulk? Players rip their jerseys off?

Is it really that bad of a thing for players to show a little joy in their job? Players can’t point? Point where? Point to their mama? Point up to the sky? Point at their own teammate? What kind of pointing is not permitted?

Let the guys have a little fun after scoring a touchdown. Let the defensive players have a chance to celebrate when they get a sack. These things don’t happen often and they change the momentum of the game. Give them all a chance to have some fun.