Celebrate

Cel-e-brate good times, c’mon! When it comes to celebrations on the football field, most people have already made up their minds. Do they approve or disapprove? Well, it seems the answer depends on whether “your” team is the lord or loser. When T.O. slammed The Star in Cowboys stadium, his jersey number morphed into 666, his helmet grew horns and he ran on cloven hooves. A few years later, the Cowboy faithful were applauding his antics. Chad Ochocinco is another who is no stranger to varied celebrations. The list is long. For anyone longing for the “old days”, maybe you will recall Billy “White Shoes” Johnson. At one time, the preferred celebration was spiking, or slamming, the ball in the end zone. Personally, I find that to be more of an insult then some of the more recent theatrics. Spiking the ball says, “in your face” or “take that sucker”. The purpose of recent celebrations seems more about getting face-time than taunting. When Willis McGahee runs a couple of yards for a TD, then stands akimbo in the end zone, staring into the crowd like he has just felled Goliath, two things come to mind; 1) I’m glad the Ravens scored, and 2) Is there anymore bacon-cheese dip.

Let’s face it, we have all given a fist-pump, flex, chest-bump, or, some other type of testosterone fueled taunt during our own weekend warrior play-off. The difference, whether for us or the professionals, is whether it’s personal or personality. Yeah, lines have been crossed at times, but, if you are truly honest, those celebrations are good for sport, depending on if your team is lord or loser. So, come Sunday, grab your favorite beverage, put your feet up and get your popcorn ready.