The six point dance...
Where did it start, who we're the best, and why the NFL pulled no punches on shutting down the most controversial part of the game.
The origins of the end zone dance can be traced all the way back to a small school in a rural Chester, PA where a future Houston Oiler, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, was practicing what was to become his patented "Funky Chicken". Little did he know that what he practiced at Widener University and later what the world seen in 74 as a rookie Oiler would spawn a new generation of superstars.
The first generation of these six point shufflers could arguably start at the likes of Gereald Wilhite, the Denver Bronco who flipped in the air. Maybe Ernest Givins and his Oiler rendition of the electric slide. Or was it Ickey Woods the four season standout that will forever be remembered for the "Ickey Shuffle."
While all this was in good fun (and mostly good taste), The NFL put into play an "excessive celebration" rule. This rule, mostly believed to be put into play for the fun bunch (a group of redskins who insisted on choreographing routines) stated that basically you were allowed a spike or you got 15 yards for your troubles, and this is where the term No Fun League was coined.
After a few years in 1991, Paul Tagliabue changed the rule so players would not be allowed to taunt but could still celebrate. The rule today forbids "The use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams". What seemed a welcome change in the early 90's opened up the flood gates to yet another generation of end zone pioneers.
The early moments were mostly fan and team friendly. Like in 1993 when Leroy Butler changed the way people looked at a Green Bay end zone when he lept the short wall to celebrate his touchdown with the fans after a fumble recovery. The Lambeau Leap is still the most widely recognized and favorite celebration of football fans.
Not all moments were as accepted as The leap or the Atlanta dirty bird however. In 1998 Fred Lane was suspended for a game and fined a game pay check ( a little over 11,000 dollars) for grabbing his crotch and gesturing to the giants fans after he scored.
As the century turned the celebrations became more entertaining but also more aggravating. TO signing a football seems harmless but watching Chad Johnson propose to a girl he doesn't know or Joe Horn pull out his phone and call home. Where did the taste go?
We all know about TO's river dance but we also know about Randy Moss rubbing his behind on things. We smile at the thought of Green Bay fans hugging another Packer from the end zone but cringe when we think of an early celebration that cost Leon Lett a touchdown and the ball from a lightning fast Don Bebe. As the NFL changes the wording and the fines and penalties will keep coming we just need to ask ourselves one thing.
Was smiling at This.
Where did it start, who we're the best, and why the NFL pulled no punches on shutting down the most controversial part of the game.
The origins of the end zone dance can be traced all the way back to a small school in a rural Chester, PA where a future Houston Oiler, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, was practicing what was to become his patented "Funky Chicken". Little did he know that what he practiced at Widener University and later what the world seen in 74 as a rookie Oiler would spawn a new generation of superstars.
The first generation of these six point shufflers could arguably start at the likes of Gereald Wilhite, the Denver Bronco who flipped in the air. Maybe Ernest Givins and his Oiler rendition of the electric slide. Or was it Ickey Woods the four season standout that will forever be remembered for the "Ickey Shuffle."
While all this was in good fun (and mostly good taste), The NFL put into play an "excessive celebration" rule. This rule, mostly believed to be put into play for the fun bunch (a group of redskins who insisted on choreographing routines) stated that basically you were allowed a spike or you got 15 yards for your troubles, and this is where the term No Fun League was coined.
After a few years in 1991, Paul Tagliabue changed the rule so players would not be allowed to taunt but could still celebrate. The rule today forbids "The use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams". What seemed a welcome change in the early 90's opened up the flood gates to yet another generation of end zone pioneers.
The early moments were mostly fan and team friendly. Like in 1993 when Leroy Butler changed the way people looked at a Green Bay end zone when he lept the short wall to celebrate his touchdown with the fans after a fumble recovery. The Lambeau Leap is still the most widely recognized and favorite celebration of football fans.
Not all moments were as accepted as The leap or the Atlanta dirty bird however. In 1998 Fred Lane was suspended for a game and fined a game pay check ( a little over 11,000 dollars) for grabbing his crotch and gesturing to the giants fans after he scored.
As the century turned the celebrations became more entertaining but also more aggravating. TO signing a football seems harmless but watching Chad Johnson propose to a girl he doesn't know or Joe Horn pull out his phone and call home. Where did the taste go?
We all know about TO's river dance but we also know about Randy Moss rubbing his behind on things. We smile at the thought of Green Bay fans hugging another Packer from the end zone but cringe when we think of an early celebration that cost Leon Lett a touchdown and the ball from a lightning fast Don Bebe. As the NFL changes the wording and the fines and penalties will keep coming we just need to ask ourselves one thing.
Was smiling at This.
Worth putting up with this.
Til next week,
Looking Forward to Sunday
Andre
