I know it's bad form to talk about officiating (especially after a win) but I still have questions about what constitutes a "celebration." As I understand the definition a penalty exists that punishes guys who alter their stride or taunt as they go into the end zone. It is the same exact penalty that exists for players who take their helmets off, gesture to the crowd or do other "excessive celebratory" actions. I rewound Jesse Hoffman's actions as he neared the goal line and in the end zone and I'm preplexed ... He slowed a little bit just short of the goal line when it became apparent no one was going to catch him but not in an exagerated way and one has to keep in mind that he was running 97 yards after the adrenalin rush of having dropped the ball first. He got in the endzone and, for lack of a better description, did a run in place before turning and going to the side line. I don't know how "excessive celebratory" actions would be defined by the Big Sky but these acts didn't come close to prolonged or taunting or rehearsed that the rule appears to address.
I watched some of the PAC-10 games later on that day and saw much more celebratory actions that were not flagged.
Any ideas? :?:
I watched some of the PAC-10 games later on that day and saw much more celebratory actions that were not flagged.
Any ideas? :?: