NCAA moves to toughen already controversial excessive-celebration penalty
You hear about the move by the NCAA Football Rules Committee this week to further toughen the unsportsmanlike-conduct/excessive-celebration penalty?
The penalty, which stirred much controversy hereabouts when it was incorrectly called on Georgia’s A.J. Green against LSU last season, will get tougher in the 2011 season if approved by one more NCAA committee.
Basically, the change would make unsportsmanlike conduct a live-ball foul, meaning, for example, that a taunting gesture en route to a touchdown would nullify the score and be penalized from the spot of the foul.
The change would not impact penalties for celebrations in the end zone after a score, such as the one against Green, because those dead-ball fouls would continue to be assessed on the ensuing kickoff or extra-point/two-point conversion attempt.
Of course, the problem with the Green penalty was that it never should have been called. The SEC said two days later that video evidence did not support the flag, which came after Green scored the go-ahead touchdown. A 15-yard penalty was assessed on the ensuing kickoff and jump-started LSU’s game-winning touchdown drive.
At the least, the Green penalty underscored the subjective and inconsistent nature of such calls.
And now the stakes could be raised.
This week’s move to toughen the consequences of live-ball unsportsmanlike-conduct flags came in a Wednesday vote by the Football Rules Committee. In a comment posted on the NCAA’s website, committee chairman (and Oregon athletics director) Mike Bellotti says:
“Our committee firmly believes in the team concept of college football. Taunting and prolonged individual acts have no place in our game, and our officials have generally handled these rules well. This is just another step in maintaining our game’s image and reflecting the ideals of the NCAA overall.”
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel must approve the change before it can take effect.
What say you about this?
Also: Another SEC assistant joins $700,000 club.
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385 comments Add your comment
WonderDawg
February 12th, 2010
3:32 pm
So when a guy gets a 4 yd gain for a first down, and struts around by himself and beats his chest, that’s emotion? Bull. He isn’t happy for the team. He’s just saying look at me, look at me! He should get a flag. All of this crap started at Miami and FSU in the 80’s. Anyone can tell the difference between emotion and showboating or taunting.
And I’m not an old fart and did letter in three sports in high school.
CFB Fan
February 12th, 2010
3:39 pm
“Anyone can tell the difference between emotion and showboating or taunting” – WonderDawg
Obviously they can’t or there wouldn’t be any controversy now would there?
CFB Fan
February 12th, 2010
3:40 pm
WonderDawg, let me ask you when you’re in the stands and a player gets a crucial 4yd first down, how do you react as a fan?
shane#1
February 12th, 2010
4:03 pm
Once the ball crosses the goal line the play is over. I suppose calling a dead ball foul a live ball foul makes sense like taking those wins away from Bowden or taking wins away from Alabama or Tech. Sheer stupidity! I have a novel idea, since too much celebrating results in taunting or delay of game, or both, why not call call one or the other, or both? The rule is impossible to enforce fairly since it is a judgement call. The rule is also not needed. Excessive Celebration should be scrapped!
The Watergirl
February 12th, 2010
4:05 pm
What happened to the good ole days where if you didnt want a team celebrating STOP them!!! NCAA can’t get the excessive celebration penalty right so no need for another bogus call
Bride of Chucky Knapp
February 12th, 2010
4:07 pm
Fans should sit there quietly and watch the game until instructed to cheer by the cheer leaders of their assigned team. That’s how they did it in the USSR and that’s how they do it in Iran, North Korea and Cuba. This is not about individual accomplishment or joy, this is to honor the University and public education everywhere. Hail Prez. Adams! Hail NCAA!
bruce mac
February 12th, 2010
4:14 pm
We lost the LSU game because we couldn’t cover a kick and we couldn’t tackle. Would you rather have won the game and the KY game and still have Willie and company or lose and not. The refs did all Dawg Nation a huge favor. Long live Shreverport.
shane#1
February 12th, 2010
4:14 pm
It is snowing here in SW Lee Co Ga. The snow is sticking and starting to accumulate. I am about a mile away from the city limits of Albany, as the crow flies. I don’t know how far away that is if the damn crow is walking in the snow.
bruce mac
February 12th, 2010
4:16 pm
Sorry for using we, I ain’t played a down yet in any or those games.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2010
4:21 pm
I have no problem with the penalty. If it’s showing up or taunting the other team, or delaying the game, there should be a penalty. What I do have a problem with is the definition of the penalty. “bringing attention to yourself” is just too subjective. Obviously that was put in to prevent showboating, but to prevent interacting with the crowd? Isn’t that kind of the idea of spectators in the first place? IF looking to the crowd, or jesturing to the crowd is not part of the game, then we dont need a stadium, just a field and a way to report the score to everybody afterwards. Come to think of it, we wouldn’t really need a governing body or a rules committee either.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2010
4:26 pm
The LSU game outcome is most often thought about in term of the last few minutes, but it was the total inability to move the ball in the first half that squandered the opportunity.
Alabama Jack
February 12th, 2010
4:28 pm
Rich, look what you started in J’ville a few years ago.
patrick
February 12th, 2010
4:36 pm
Mark Richt cant coach?
Hmmmmm……. 2008 for example….
1. UGA lost 18 scholly players to season ending injury PRIOR to game 3.
2. UGA then proceeded to merely win 10 games
3. UGA then merely proceeded to win a bowl
4. UGA then merely ended up ranked 10th in the coaches poll.
5. All of that with a SOS of 8
Now I challenge anyone to name a single team that lost that many scholly players that early in the season where a coach was able to be that successful. I will order pizza and hopefully by the time it arrives someone can point out that other team.
Jaydawg
February 12th, 2010
4:37 pm
I think there should be a 15 day ban from this website for the dorks that feel the need to state FIRST! at the beginning of the comments section.
Gators 17 Dawgs 3
February 12th, 2010
4:40 pm
Patrick,
Other teams are in better condition and don’t need injuries as an excuse for losing.
Jim
February 12th, 2010
4:46 pm
UGA should have kicked the ball out of bounds after that call and at least LSU would have started at the 35. Rather than bi***h at the rules player and coaches have to know and understand them to use them to their advantage.
Conyers Yellow Jacket
February 12th, 2010
4:51 pm
I remember the days when all players politely handed or tossed the ball to an official after scoring.
I never have liked the showboating and obnoxious body contortions most of the current (both college and pro players) are allowed to do today. Any additional penalties including automatic ejection would
be welcomed by me. The officials should enforce this rule with zero tolerance so that subjectivity would
not be an issue.
Harold
February 12th, 2010
4:52 pm
“Taunting and prolonged individual acts have no place in our game…” Football is full of “individual acts.” For instance, Knowshon Moreno leaping a would be tackler to gain a few more yards to help his team. The leap was an “individual act.” A.J. Green leaping in the end zone to make a one handed touchdown catch on an uncatchable ball. That, my friends, was an individual act. Reminds me of 1930’s and 1940’s Germany. Can you say SOCIALISM?!!!
WildDawg
February 12th, 2010
4:56 pm
Coach to players – If you are about to score a touchdown do not show any emotion or happiness until your team can catch up to you and celebrate with you. While celebrating with your team do not acknowledge the fans or look into the crowd who are ecstatic that you scored and are chanting your name. After your 2 second low key celebration with your team run off the field quickly and do not taunt the guy you just burned who has been taunting you and poking you in the eyes the whole game.
Louie Jr.
February 12th, 2010
4:57 pm
Louie- I hope you are safe, warm, and dry in Snow Jam 2010. Be careful snookums, and don’t catch a cold.
LOL
February 12th, 2010
5:10 pm
Time to go sit in traffic and try to make my way home. Nice back and forth with you Termigator. Sorry for the moron comment, I was out of line on that one!
1eyedJack
February 12th, 2010
5:12 pm
I was getting tired of that Heisman pose thing anyway.
JD
February 12th, 2010
5:15 pm
The Miami Hurricances Rule!! Thats what it is.
scott
February 12th, 2010
5:19 pm
sounds like something nascar would do.can not leave well enough alone..stop watching on tv ,hit em where it hurts,then they will stop,just like nascar did
North Georgia Dawg
February 12th, 2010
5:21 pm
I am so sick of the NCAA! We need a damn play off not more rules and reasons to call penalties. Football is an emotional game. Let the kids freak’n celebrate. Another note… Oregon athletics director Mike Bellotti from the same school of a player that knocked an opposing player out! Was supposed to get kicked off the team only to later show back up on the roster. Nice! The SEC is by far the toughest on this type of call. However, if you look around the country I see crap that would never be tolerated by the SEC officials. The penalty is WAY to subjective. You have never seen a more angrier Dawg fan than after the call against AJ. Total BS! DID I SAY I AM SICK OF THE NCAAA!
jw
February 12th, 2010
5:24 pm
who is going to protect the ref from the 90k fans who storm the field and “taunt” him, when takes that TD off the board because he wants to play God with the score? That man could die!
jw
February 12th, 2010
5:26 pm
People are going to be studing that clip of Brandon Spike Eye Gouge moves to use on him when they get him to the ground!
CitizenK9
February 12th, 2010
5:30 pm
Surely the incompetent and/or corrupt Marc Curles & crew won’t be back next year. But officiating head Redding is the type old lump that thinks if he closes his eyes nobody can see him. We’ll see if Slive exists and has a spine. I suspect they’ll think all is forgiven, do nothing, and we’ll see another SEC season of botched officiating.
Joseph
February 12th, 2010
5:32 pm
I am ok with it just as long as they call the fouls evenly and are consistent throughout the season. If it is a foul for the Dawgs to throw their hands up in the air after a play it is also a foul when the Gators do it. I am sick of the bias displayed. I also suggest to add an automatic fine (cash) if a ref makes an obvious wrong call. The school offended should get the cash.
WonderDawg
February 12th, 2010
5:37 pm
Oh, I start pounding my chest, nodding my head yes (or shaking it no), cross my arms on my chest, and strutting back and forth about 10 yards from my seat. If anyone gets too close to me, I push them away so they won’t block the TV camera’s view. Sound familiar, CFB?
WonderDawg
February 12th, 2010
5:45 pm
Ain’t that the truth Conyers Yellow Jacket! I remember after every one of Herschel’s many TDs, he handed or tossed the ball to an official. Now some of these guys just drop the ball with the ref standing right beside them, obviously trying to be disrespectful.
The Lone Trumpeter
February 12th, 2010
5:45 pm
Football is an emotional game that has emotional outbursts. Anyone who has ever put the pads on knows this. Trust some nerds who never actually played to have a problem with celebrations. Let me ask this. Do you celebrate when your team scores? Why can’t they? Let the kids have some fun. It is a game people. Games are supposed to be fun. If you have a problem with other teams celebrating don’t let them score.
Bo in North Carolina
February 12th, 2010
5:51 pm
Thunderbird: Right on!
1eyedJack
February 12th, 2010
5:52 pm
At what point do you start giving everybody an attaboy trophy for participating…And good conduct stars.
It’s a gridiron, and a tough game, with lots of blood, sweat and tears invested. Let the boys play…and enjoy it for themselves.
Bad Dawg
February 12th, 2010
6:31 pm
There should be no such thing as an excessive celebration penalty.
Political correctness is killing the whole country. The people making up such rules are pussies.
boots
February 12th, 2010
6:34 pm
The NCAA is really out of hand. Where do they get their authority? From the universities, right, but we need to have these organizations reign them in ASAP. Football should be fun, and there is a clear line between what AJ did and what Miami and other thugs used to do. Also, it is clearly subjective. Tebow NEVER got penalized, and he was very disrespectful to opponents.
1eyedJack
February 12th, 2010
6:43 pm
Tebow’s gator chomp, unfortunately, is burned indelibly into my brain.
Studpuppy
February 12th, 2010
6:48 pm
LET THEM CELEBRATE! It is a game let them have some fun. If you want no celebration you probably never played the game. It is a game where emotion, testosterone and controlled fury help many players. JUST LIMIT THE TIME. Taunting is illegal and a good rule, it causes fights. Give them 20 seconds to high five, hoop and holler. Anything after that would be excessive!!!
.
February 12th, 2010
6:57 pm
I love watching Dagmar Midcap on CBS Atlanta giving the blow by blow snow action in her sweater.
icedawg
February 12th, 2010
7:02 pm
I wish the same rule would be adopted by the “professional” league. The theatrics take away from the game.
Jimmy
February 12th, 2010
7:04 pm
This is another example of how out of touch college football powers that be have become.
They are greedy, money grubbing professionals.
If they are going to talk about the image of “their” game, they need to go ahead and treat it like the business it is.
Pay the players.
Or…you idiots might establish a playoff system and take away all the money grubbing.
ugajd
February 12th, 2010
7:55 pm
Pep talk: Ok, guys! Go out there and give it all you’ve got! Run hard! Play hard! Score a ton of points! Win the game! Just don’t be happy about it!
Dawg26
February 12th, 2010
8:00 pm
This is stupid, a player should be allowed to celebrate with his team, by himself, or in any other way as long as it is not rude, such as flipping the bird!! This is dumb. Let the kids play, you are taking away from the essence of the game!
foxandcoon
February 12th, 2010
8:04 pm
If you want to stop something you make the penalty hard enough to do that. I don’t think you will have repeat offenders on the taunting call because I don’t think a kid will want to face their head coach oncre much less twice after a touchdown is called back.
Señora Weeb
February 12th, 2010
8:05 pm
“Georgia senior center Albert Jackson was arrested early Friday on an outstanding warrant stemming from a misdemeanor hit-and-run in an Athens parking lot two years ago.”
Here we go. Arrest #1 for the year. Thugs rule at UGA!
bigdawg
February 12th, 2010
8:14 pm
To idiot LSU fans: YOU GRIPED ABOUT LOSING TO BAMA DUE TO A BAD CALL AND WE CANT GRIPE ABOUT A CALL PROVEN BY THE SEC TO BE WRONG?
To Tech nerds: 2008 is over, but since you like memory lane….60-39-1. We own you, you should be use to it by now. 30-24, now please go and play some Pokemon and race your gay bikes!
First
February 12th, 2010
8:18 pm
first
firedawg13
February 12th, 2010
8:21 pm
Wondering why other fans from other schools get on a dawg blog and talk smack….JunkYard Dawgs are back and they know it!!! Cant wait to run em over next season!!
DOUG
February 12th, 2010
8:32 pm
Not good.They already have too much room for interpretation. This will no doubt impact a big game that is critical to the BCS title race. You just watch. This is the “Hate Crime” of College football. A loosely passed rule that can be unfairly ramped up to suit the prejudice of each officiating crew. Too many Democrats in the NCAA. May be an effort to deflect the poor job they are doing on Saturdays now.
Willy
February 12th, 2010
8:33 pm
oes anyone with the NCAA have a triple digit IQ?