The NFL is a giant in numerous ways, being the premier league in the United States that captures the spotlight throughout the sports calendar. Its popularity remains unmatched, yet it has areas ripe for improvement.
Historically, aspects of the game that thrilled its fans in the 90s and early 2000s have faded. Notably, physicality has diminished and the freedom for players to express their joy in scoring has tightened. Cameron Jordan, the defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, recently articulated his discontent with the excessive celebration penalties during an interview at Fanatics Fest.
“For the fans, I think it’s the excessive celebration. If you don’t let them celebrate, they scored a touchdown, they dragged three defenders on their back. I got a sack on the quarterback, just give me five seconds.”
Jordan’s comments highlight a significant frustration towards the current taunting and celebration penalties that seem to sap enjoyment from both players and fans.
The league remains stringent about such penalties, a contrast to the celebratory spirit seen in past decades. While the NFL has relaxed selected rules recently, many still exist that could enhance the game and enrich the viewer experience.
To what ridiculous rules can a player be subjected today? Here are five that we believe warrant reevaluation:
1. Overtime Rules Adjustments
Currently, a game goes into a 10-minute overtime during the regular season, which is shorter than the 15-minute quarters played throughout the game. With the recent changes ensuring both teams get a possession in overtime, shouldn’t the overtime duration be extended to the full 15 minutes?
2. Ridiculous Taunting and Celebration Penalties
Once famously referred to as “No Fun League,” the taunting rules have become overly punitive. From Terrell Owens celebrating on the Dallas Cowboys logo to Chad Ochocinco using the Pittsburgh Steelers’ towel, players’ celebrations have been penalized just for showcasing athletic milestones.
3. No Intentional Grounding Outside the Tackle Box
Quarterbacks have exploited a rule allowing them to throw the ball away outside the tackle box without penalty. However, if there’s no receiver in proximity to catch it, shouldn’t that be penalized as grounding?
4. Declaring Onside Kicks
Mandating teams to declare an onside kick diminishes the element of surprise and creativity that such plays should embody, removing spontaneity from the game.
5. Automatic First Downs for Minor Penalties
An illegal contact penalty should not automatically grant a first down if it’s only a minor infraction. A 5-yard penalty and a replay of the down would serve as a better balance of fairness for defenders without excessively punishing them.
In summary, while the NFL enjoys immense success, a reassessment of its regulations might help to enhance both the player experience and that of the fans.
