
Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the NFL often provoke “No Fun League” jeers due to the league’s notoriously strict celebration penalties. Eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Jordan expressed that the excessive celebration rules are overly restrictive, suggesting players should be allowed to taunt their opponents following significant plays.
The NFL somewhat relaxed its celebration rules in 2017 in response to continuous criticism, yet several restrictions still persist. Group celebrations are currently permitted, along with the use of the ball as a prop, though actions resembling violence or taunting continue to carry penalties.
“For the fans, I think it’s the excessive celebration,” Jordan stated at Fanatics Fest. “If you don’t let them celebrate — they scored a touchdown, carrying three defenders. After getting a sack on the quarterback, I want my moment to shine. Let us celebrate. It’s acceptable to taunt. Bring back taunting. Let me express myself.”
Throughout his remarkable 14-year career with the New Orleans Saints, Jordan has had numerous opportunities to celebrate, recording double-digit sack totals in six seasons and accumulating 160 tackles for loss, including 121.5 sacks.
Last season, many players incurred penalties for their celebrations depicting violence. Celebratory gestures, ranging from bow-and-arrow mockeries to finger guns, have led to flags for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Jordan isn’t the only one voicing dissatisfaction with the NFL’s celebration regulations. Travis Kelce critiqued the situation last season after Allen Lazard of the New York Jets received a penalty for pointing finger guns after gaining a first down, remarking that the crackdowns are excessive.
“This is just going too far,” Kelce mentioned on the “New Heights” podcast. “It’s overwhelming, and it negatively impacts the game. I understand the need for rules, but this situation has escalated too much.”
Before the 2017 relaxation of celebration rules, there were numerous penalties and fines associated with celebrations. According to ESPN, unsportsmanlike conduct flags related to post-touchdown celebrations escalated significantly over a five-year span, reaching as high as 29 in 2016, prompting the league to ease some of its earlier proscriptions.