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
DOUG
February 12th, 2010
8:35 pm
Let them celibrate. As long as they are off the field in time for the next play and there is no taunting I dont see a problem. And Im old school.
Louie
February 12th, 2010
8:36 pm
Well, where do I start.
Nothing like snow showers in Atlanta .
North Ave. beautiful this afternoon. Got a glimpse of Bobby Dodd stadium , bleachers covered .
As for ‘excessive celebration, can’t the mass of thugs just score and hand the ball off to a ref and head to the bench.
All this damn showboating and acting like Deion Sanders is sickning.
It’s got to be STOPPED.
CPJ has addressed this situation, and his players seem to understand.
Mutts ALWAYS have a serious problem with this issue.
STILL L M F A O
And jackhammer needs to get in here tonight. See where the boy ( Louie Jr.) surfaced earlier. Whoopie.
Get over it L O S E R tech trans-v
February 12th, 2010
8:38 pm
Marsha
February 12th, 2010
8:03 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!
Louie Jr.
February 12th, 2010
8:43 pm
Louie- do your rolls of fat keep you insulated as you shake it near Piedmont Park?
Louie
February 12th, 2010
8:59 pm
Jr.——–
FYI I AM 6 FT 1 and 180 lbs., wish I had that problem.
AltamahaDawg
February 12th, 2010
9:00 pm
patrick, trust me because I have asked that same question many times, you will never get a solid answer to that.
Carty
February 12th, 2010
9:03 pm
No offense, but I sustpect the last thing an 8 & 5 team looking at starting two RS freshman QB’s, two new DT’s and a rebuilt secondary should be worrying about is how their going to celebrate touchdowns. Eye on the ball folks!
Bob
February 12th, 2010
9:13 pm
This is great! Let the ncaa and official determine the outcome of games and not the players and coaches. The fans pump billions into these schools and deserve nothing less that to have the officals decide the game. Lets not let the players and coaches determine wo wins the games anymore.
Bigstevo101
February 12th, 2010
9:13 pm
Celebration rules are disgusting. It is a players right to take pride in his individual accomplishments maybe its a dance, a scream or even just a handsign when you get a sack, but it’s not wrong showing emotion only proves these 20 year olds actually have a pulse. As far as showing off who cares if you show off and can back it up then keep doing it if you can’t someone will lay you out soon enough anyway. If they weren’t making plays they couldn’t celebrate if I’m the coach that’s what I tell my boys stop em or listen to em’. This penalty for celebration or taunting is completely outdated, kids these days are even more brash and arrogant than in the past and it’s not the colleges job to take that away from them. They are passionate,athletic, and extremely prideful if not somewhat arrogant but they’ve earned that right. They earned the right to celebrate and taunt when they went out and made that big play.
THE YELLOW SWARM
February 12th, 2010
9:17 pm
Hit em,get up and act your age.
THE DOGS YELP!
February 12th, 2010
9:19 pm
Hit em, get up and act stupid.
Same ole pathetic dawg fans
February 12th, 2010
9:32 pm
Will the new rule stop all the dawgs players from always getting arrested like Jackson today? Nope. Guess not. What an out of control, undisciplined loser of a football team. Oh, and I see you’re also still whining about one penalty costing you the LSU game last year. What losers. All ya had to do was stop Holliday on the kickoff return and stop Charles Scott on his td run. Why not just stop them???
superDawg
February 12th, 2010
9:45 pm
I don’t have a problem with this rule.If you brake away for a TD in the open field it is no reason to taunt the opponant because you can run faster.Go in the end zone drop the ball and shoot everyone a bird.
superDawg
February 12th, 2010
9:48 pm
NUFF SAID!
HUNKER DOWN
February 12th, 2010
10:25 pm
IN GA the GA assembly is in session to make new laws cause assumingly we do not have enough and all the bases covered. Go to a doctors office and they will give you a prescription or else they cannot rationalize the hefty office visit they charge. So now the NCAA officialiang crew now need to add another law to the books. WHy not spend this time and energy spent in better training the officials so that they quit calling celebration penalties that alter the outcome of games instead of empowering to make more opportunities to miss calls as in last seasons fiasco officiating year.
hind tit
February 12th, 2010
11:03 pm
will high stepping into the endzone be called excessive. the days coming when a call like this will cost some team a national championship mark my words. football is headed in the same direction as nascar. they destroyed that sport with excessive rule changes to the point fans have been lost in huge numbers and now they see their mistake and their trying to right the wrong and it maybe to late. i agree to much goes on on both sides of the ball but don’t take away from the game because of a missed call. it would make more sense to fine the coach for some of these classes acts. at least he would have a right to have his say after the film was revued.
Jimmy
February 12th, 2010
11:11 pm
Tebow is the prime example of how inconsistently the rule is enforced.
I don’t see how a player can run off the field skipping and waiving his arms after a touchdown and not be called for a celebration penalty.
He is not celebrating with teammates. He is inciting the crowd…”drawing attention to himself.”
This is why the rule is no good.
It is and always will be subjective.
If teams have the right to challenge penalty calls with instant replay during the 4th qtr, that would perhaps mitigate bad calls that affect the outcome of the game.
Otherwise, fix the rule or scrap it.
col fot
February 12th, 2010
11:25 pm
UGA got f….. in the LSU game by that idiot referee. That called should have been nullified on the spot! That idiot was probably fan in disquise.
GA MAN
February 12th, 2010
11:56 pm
I think the NCAA is run by a bunch of NERDS whom have never played a football game in there life! You can’t put a square peg in a round hole.” NERDS says”Really lets test it,write a book about it,put it on youtube and then brag bout it.If that doesnt work and we have exhausted all resources then lets ask the FANS, STUDENTS and ATHLETES that attend colleges and watch games since they are the ones who really pay our salaries and make it possible for us to have jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. A sure way to destroy college football and cut the revenue completely not to mention your jobs again keep adding stupid rules that cut into a GAME not a BOARD MEETING,next thing you know they will be regulating pee wee football!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nobody
February 13th, 2010
12:15 am
the only way to resolve excessive celebration is to toss the offending player out of the remainder of the game…I remember the understated manner in which Hershel Walker just tossed the ball to the official and continued trotting off the field…oh for those days again….
CitizenK9
February 13th, 2010
12:48 am
GT Losers, your “holier than thou” routine is beyond laughable. We know what school was training a now convicted terrorist and had a football starter working a drug ring in the middle of campus. And now, big surprise, the Super Bowl was tarnished by two GT “gentleman scholars” busted for unsportsmanlike conduct (Wheeler, Hargrove).Eternal truth:GT Lies and Cheats.
Ealey for Another 14 Yards
February 13th, 2010
1:08 am
Yellow Maggots, the difference in law enforcement between the ATL and Athens-CC is about the same as between Somalia and the U.S.. Atlanta’s undermanned/underfunded police force can’t even deal with knife-wielding muggers all around the GT campus. The overstaffed Athens-CC police can go out and search for minor offenses: open container, improper turn, suspended license and the horror-underage drinking by college students. With crime rampant in downtown ATL, who knows what GT players get away with ?
Richard Dawson
February 13th, 2010
1:22 am
I’m sick of hearing about the penalty against Green. We lost the game straight up. The 15 yards hardly mattered since we allowed a long KO return anyway. The RB could’ve run 2000 yards on the TD run, so how does 15 yards matter? Further, LSU got the same penalty on their TD, yet held us to our own 30 yard line on the KO, and shut us down on the return.
It is really pathetic to keep bringing that penalty up. It did not lose us the game. However, continuing to harp on it is a sign of what is wrong with UGA nation. Too much excuse-making and not enough tough decisions and drive to win. Pathetic.
Tech Buzz
February 13th, 2010
1:24 am
Richt’s furious with this new rule—how’s he going to order players onto the field for a mass on-field taunting after a 1 yard TD if they take away the score? he will not stand for it!
UGA Grad
February 13th, 2010
1:24 am
It’s funny how the Nerds are saying UGA is a bunch of thugs. I seem to remeber something about a Samauri Sword attack at Georgia Tech recently. You guys take that World of Warcraft way to seriously!
Stop Over-Officiating
February 13th, 2010
1:53 am
Dick Dawson, you are either ignorant of football or pretending to be a UGA fan. Even knowledgeable LSU fans admit the officials bailed them out in that game . LSU was awarded nearly half the field by rule with time and timeouts to operate with. And midfield is where the offense has the upper hand because the whole playbook is available. Having to defend against so many different plays spreads the defense out and makesbig plays possible. So either learn the game ,be honest about your allegiance, or don’t post an assinine message.
Demand Action on SEC Officiating
February 13th, 2010
2:35 am
As fans who invest time, money, and emotion in SEC football we deserve games with outcomes that are credible because they were decided by the players and not unduely by botched officiating. Other conferences have taken action to improve the quality of officiating including training by the NFL. I have heard nothing from the SEC to indicate any action is being taken to prevent another season like 2009 when there was as much discussion about officials’ calls as football plays.
Instead of just complaining, we should write the people below and ask what is being done to prevent officiating debacles like we saw last year. These people have the time and resources to put some genuine effort into improving the quality and accountability of game officials. And there are plenty of ways to do it including improved training, demanding consistency between crews, improving on-field communication, and replacing subpar officials and administrators. Let’s see what they have to say.
Mike Slive, Commissioner
Mark Womack, Executive Associate Commissioner
Rogers Redding, Football Officiating Coordinator
Southeastern Conference
2201 Richard Arrington Blvd. North
Birmingham, AL 35203
NCAA Rule Lover
February 13th, 2010
3:08 am
Make college football and the spectators in attendance more civilized. Player celebrations should be limited to firm handshakes. Require patrons to remain seated and cheer their team only by finger-snapping.
CitizenK9
February 13th, 2010
3:36 am
This is trivial compared to what may be coming.
Because of the concern over concussions, there may be some major rule changes coming. To lessen repeated helmet contact, the 3 and 4-point stances may be outlawed. Ball carriers would be penalized for lowering their heads to take on tacklers. Football may go to something like a penalty box where in addition to a yardage penalty, players committing helmet collision violations must leave the game for a certain # of plays.
This was all covered in a recent TIME magazine cover story. Bigger, faster players are banging heads harder than ever and medical tests are increasingly pointing to serious brain damage and long-term health problems such as migraines, vertigo, depression, and other mental illnesses. Frequent lesser concussions may be as bad as the occasional “knockouts.” The brain of a long-time football player is essentially covered by scabs.
HIT AND RUN??
February 13th, 2010
5:35 am
Wow, talk about an undisciplined athletics program…
And talk about a pathetic police department in Athens.
Dude had an outstanding warrant for TWO YEARS, while playing on the dang basketball team????
Oh yeah, I guess even the cops dont watch Georgia basketball!!!
Dr. Demento
February 13th, 2010
7:51 am
Teams study films, right…then have them watch out-takes on how Penn State handles things, and go from there…course CMR and the other coaches would have to chase a player down and embarrass him on the sideline on TV for show-boating…JoePa never had to “remind” any player a second time…
4WhatIt'sWorth
February 13th, 2010
8:02 am
How about a rule that makes since. Once a touchdown is scored, signaled by the referees hands, start the 40 second clock. The team scoring has has until the 40 second clock expires to complete the conversion attempt. If the attempt is not completed before the 40 second clock expires, there is no penalty, however the conversion attempt is not allowed. This would also speed up the pace of the game.
Veritas
February 13th, 2010
8:21 am
Taunting rules are so subjective an ambiguous that they need to be eliminated from the rulebook. What qualifies as taunting to one official may not be to another and then you get situations like the one A.J. Green got into last year. As long as so-called taunting doesn’t involve obscene gestures,throat slash moves or other offensive gestures who cares? Let the kids play the game. If the situation becomes questionable then hit ‘em with an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty, otherwise let the kids play the game. Who the h**l cares about eye black? What’s wrong with wearing eye black with your team’s logo on it? Or a bible verse? What is the reasoning behind this asinine rule? Concussions? Are licensed Athletic Trainers now so incompetent they cannot recognize the signs of concussion and treat it accordingly? Concussions are going to be part of the games of Hockey and Football.Does the NCAA rules committee have too much time on their hands or what? Let the kids play!
Dan Huddle
February 13th, 2010
8:37 am
The excessive celebration penalty is another example of the NCAA’s fascist policies. Few people respect the NCAA any more so they want people to fear them. Few people outside Myles Brand’s circle of cronies and his family mourned his passing, the man was a tyrant among University presidents that are tyrants and ignore the wishes of their alumni and fan base. I, for one, did not shed a tear at his passing, I though he was as much of an a$$ as he he esteemed Bobby Knight as. The NCAA tries retain the “integrity” of college sports by going on witch hunts after coaches and players and tightening up rules and regulations when many question the NCAA’s own integrity. The LSU excessive celebration penalty against Green was just another embarrassment among a littany of embarrassments with the organization and it officiating. If Mike Belotti is so pure and without sin I’ll hand him a stone or two, otherwise (and more likely) I don’t give an Organ Duck what has he has to say and he should shut his feathery pie hole.
Just thought I’d add that a blogger named “First” with nothing better to do than try to be the first to blog on every thread must be either about 5 years old or significantly developmentally delayed.
Louie
February 13th, 2010
8:48 am
Well, where do i start.
Looks like I’m snowed in for a while, might make for an interesting day.
jackhammer, where art thou ??
Back to yesterday’s topic, DISIPLINE is the key word.
Check the mutts average of penalties per game (8).
Now, check GT’s average (3.1). Duh !!!!!!!!
CPJ has his players locked in to ELIMINATE STUPID PENALTIES !!!!!!!!!!
Stupidity leads to self-control issues. These fundamental lessons are SUPPOSED to be ingrained in grammar school. No self control, or do we have a COACHING ISSUE.
I think BOTH.
Pretty bad when ESPN constantly brings this up. cmr says he had the same problem while at Florida State but was not too concerned because of their record.
DISIPLINE and his RECORD are problems now.
Related, I think so.
jackhammer !!!!!!!!!!!!
STILL L M F A O
Oh, and by the way, ATLANTA is beautiful in the morning after the snow.
You cow tippers should see it.
LATER…………………
Jag Dawg
February 13th, 2010
9:24 am
These communist will eventually make it illegale to even play the game at all. I am surprised they have not identified a coach’s gatorade bath as taunting. Heck they may even eventually decide to make a team forfeit a win for excessive celebration after a game has concluded. WHAT THE BLAZES IS WRONG WITH BEING HAPPY YOU SCORED OR WON.
THE YELLOW SWARM
February 13th, 2010
9:27 am
Score a touchdown, act your age.
Harpoon
February 13th, 2010
9:28 am
Heck, let em score and celebrate in the end zone…for 30 seconds.
THE DOGS YELP!
February 13th, 2010
9:29 am
Score a touchdown, jump up and down, draw attention, another flag.
BIG DEE DEE DAWG
February 13th, 2010
9:32 am
tekkie coach says if he gets another gator aid bath he is going to throw a flag of his own!!
Herschel Walker could whip your ass right now at 47
February 13th, 2010
9:39 am
…and he scored a ton of TD’s. He calmly acted like he had been there before and gave the ball to the official. CLASSY.
UGA Grad
February 13th, 2010
9:45 am
Hit and Run??? GT should start watching Georgia basketball after the beatdown they recieved this year!
ssidawg
February 13th, 2010
9:45 am
This is why I’m becoming more of a fan of the NFL and less of a a fan of college football. The pro game is way more fun!
tom
February 13th, 2010
9:46 am
nobody talks about the fact that the guy that threw that flag vs. green also was the one that flagged orson charles in the middle of the field after a big gain earlier in that game. the problem with it is that is totally dependent on the mood of the referee. what is called one week wont be the next. too inconsistent
UGA Grad
February 13th, 2010
9:46 am
Louie, too bad all that discipline at GT doesn’t equate to wins against quality opponents! Win a bowl game and then come talk to us!
are you tired?
February 13th, 2010
9:47 am
For people who want serious, honest discussion about college football, go to bcscollegefootballboard.com – free, moderated and intelligent conversation.
I’ve read the ajc for a long time now and I’m sad.
dale in newnan
February 13th, 2010
9:49 am
How about this: Just dont do it!
are you tired?
February 13th, 2010
10:01 am
Thanks Dale!! I never thought of that . . .
THE DOGS YELP!
February 13th, 2010
10:02 am
We love attention, thats why we blackout, jump up and down, bring the whole damn team to the endzone including the watergirl and thug out. Cant spell thug without ug.
UGA Grad
February 13th, 2010
10:06 am
The Dogs Yelp: At least were not stabbing each other with Samurai Swords!! It must be sad when your team sucks so bad that the only thing you can take pride in is your hate for another team. I don’t hate GT because they are below us. I spend my time and energy representing my team and I am proud to be a Bulldog. I can only wish that you could find pride in your own team.