In sports, there are few penalties that result from positive events. But, in an attempt to increase sportsmanship, excessive celebration has become a flashpoint for debates about individualism and censorship in sports.
In the highly commercialized sport of college football, excessive celebration is tightly regulated. The NCAA rules specifically prohibit any delayed
excessive prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention on themselves. Violators receive a 15-yard penalty, making an extra point less than automatic. Mid-American Conference Commissioner for media relations Gary Richter said the MAC must follow these rules to the letter as a member of the NCAA.
However, Ohio linebacker Ma'tron Church said the penalty is fitting.
If you break the rules that's what you're supposed to get
he said. If you celebrate and don't act like you've been there before
you're going to get a flag.
Running back Kalvin McRae disagrees with Church's view. He said the penalty is called too often.
From a football player's point of view
you work so hard to get that touchdown
he said. As long as you're not degrading yourself or your team
I don't see anything wrong with it.
Coach Brian Knorr said he thinks the NCAA has tried to make sportsmanship important. And though he said he agrees with how often the penalty is called, he understands the importance of celebration.
I don't want this to be the 'No Fun League
' he said. I do think you should celebrate with your teammates.
Knorr said the defense actually practices celebrating after scoring.
Defensive scores are spontaneous
he said. We teach them not to throw the ball into the crowd or something
we tell them to go find their teammates.
In field hockey, excessive celebration is less of an issue. Coach Shelly Morris said she has never seen an official ever call a foul or penalty after a celebration. She said celebrations occasionally can last so long that an umpire can blow a whistle, and the other team can get a quick start down the field.
Excessive celebration can sometimes occur on the volleyball court, too. Coach Geoff Carlston said if the celebration is seen as having a taunting aspect, an official can call a yellow card on the offenders.
I think it's kind of ridiculous
