NFL players were happy to learn last week that their touchdown celebrations rules received an extra bit of liberty. And for that, perhaps they should be thanking Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
According to the former All-Pro wide receiver, Roger Goodell approached him prior to making the decision to loosen the NFL’s celebration rules. It’s only fitting that the NFL’s commissioner gave Johnson a call after all the celebrations, and fines he was a part of throughout his 11-year playing career.
“Well, I didn’t puff a cigar, but I knew the rule change was coming,” said Johnson on the B-More Opinionated podcast. “I had talked to Roger a couple of times at length, maybe two or three times, before the rule change came out. And he asked my advice on what he could do to be able to loosen the reins on the celebration rules, but at the same time maintain the respect and integrity of the game.”
Some of the rule changes include giving players an opportunity to celebrate with teammates, and use the ball as a prop.
Johnson believes that the NFL’s decision to change the rules is a move in the right direction after they saw their ratings drop throughout the 2016 season. While the league’s stance hasn’t been completely altered, they should give players more freedom to express themselves as long as they avoid sexually suggestive celebrations, pretending to use weapons, and also dunking the football over the field goal crossbar. Seems reasonable.
“It’s obvious. This is a game of entertainment,” said Johnson, who played for both New England and Cincinnati. “Back in the days where gladiators used to fight it was for entertainment purposes; that’s what sports are — entertainment. And when you take that part of the game away, what are you watching? You’re watching a bunch of robots. It’s like watching a video game.”
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