NFL may consider negating touchdowns for taunting

[IndyAndy]

I don't know why it's such a wild expectation to expect our professional sportsmen to display sportsmanship. If a 5 year old can do it, then can't we expect the same from "grown ass men"?

One of our Rookie's started highstepping 20 yds early and looked like he was going to get a little showy and almost tripped on his face. I wish he would have and fumbled the ball. It surprised me from him because he does seem like an athlete with his head on straight. He's a good football player because he works his ass off, why the need to showboat? I suspect he learned his lesson though, the football gods were just reminding him that he isn't meant to be one of the dbags on the field.

Because, sadly, too many of them have been told over & over, since they 1st found out that they were halfway good at the game, that this makes them "special" and "better" than other people.

Overall, I agree with the idea of giving the player a game suspension & fine, but not negating the points.

 

[Wazmankg]

Flagging celebrations/taunting is retarded. Let grown men be grown men and don't babysit how they talk to each other.

If Tate wants to run him mouth/taunt, it will be handled.

You keep calling this behavior that of "grown men" when everyone else recognizes it as anything but.

 

[Wazmankg]

So you would encourage the same tactics in peewee football? High school football? college?

Which is exactly what would happen if they start allowing it. It's actually more appropriate at that level when I think about it because it's so childish.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Stupid Move

The NFL is big boy football where everyone gets paid...running up scores, taunting, etc may all be in bad taste but if you're offended by it as a player...simple, don't let the opponent do it. If you're going to roll up in the fetal position you should get your ass kicked even harder imo.

College...different game, and not always a level playing field talent wise...it should not be tolerated.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

You keep calling this behavior that of "grown men" when everyone else recognizes it as anything but.

It's in bad taste, childish, etc...no question, but unlike college, and grad school...every team is playing with the same deck of cards...i.e. $123 million or so salary cap...if you don't like it, do something about it...you're getting paid just as the other team is. The saying payback is a bitch...applies.

 

[Wazmankg]

I think it's more a case of fans being offended by it, rather than the players. Without the fans there is no NFL. Have they polled fans about this ? I'd hope that most fans would think taking the score away would be going too far. I see that's the concensus here but this isn't exactly a scientific survey.

 

[757Hokie83]

instead of penalizing taunting, how about the taunted player is allowed one free illegal hit on the taunter

 

[Mondio]

nobody rolled up in any fetal position, it's a game, it's called a sport, it's called sportsmanship. There are rules. Taunting is simply the failure of someone to show restraint from acting like a spoiled child. Professionals should have acquired that skill.

I expect a little more. Especially when the vast majority of professionals can show restraint, in both mocking, and retaliating in a sport. They understand the rules, they understand class and sportsmanship and this thing called respect. I knocked the shit out of a few guys, some didn't get up on their own. Never felt the need to stand over them, beat my chest, act like a child. I got knocked on my ass a few times too and got back up to get the better of them next time. I never played past college, but surely if I can do it, they can do it.

If the rules are going to penalize me for not showing restraint in giving you the reaction you're looking for by taunting, I have no problem with them penalizing adults acting like children. If you want to call yourself a professional, act like one.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I think it's more a case of fans being offended by it, rather than the players. Without the fans there is no NFL. Have they polled fans about this ? I'd hope that most fans would think taking the score away would be going too far. I see that's the concensus here but this isn't exactly a scientific survey.

Good point...as childish as it might be, it's not offensive imo as fan...I would be ticked if my team didn't respond.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

nobody rolled up in any fetal position, it's a game, it's called a sport, it's called sportsmanship. There are rules. Taunting is simply the failure of someone to show restraint from acting like a spoiled child. Professionals should have acquired that skill.

I expect a little more. Especially when the vast majority of professionals can show restraint, in both mocking, and retaliating in a sport. They understand the rules, they understand class and sportsmanship and this thing called respect. I knocked the shit out of a few guys, some didn't get up on their own. Never felt the need to stand over them, beat my chest, act like a child. I got knocked on my ass a few times too and got back up to get the better of them next time. I never played past college, but surely if I can do it, they can do it.

If the rules are going to penalize me for not showing restraint in giving you the reaction you're looking for by taunting, I have no problem with them penalizing adults acting like children. If you want to call yourself a professional, act like one.

You missed my point on the fetal position comment...SF 42 JAX 10...that's rolling over imo so they deserved to get beat that bad or worse.

Professionals...what you did was act like a mature person...just because you're getting paid (true sense of the word professional here) doesn't mean you're mature.

Don't take my post as condoning taunting, but trying to curb it imo belongs to the players not the officials.

 

[R.J. MacReady]

If you a need a tougher rule to keep you from seeing that some players don't have an ounce of class ...so be it.

 

[Mondio]

getting beat is different than being taunted. Score TD's, continue to score a ton of them until they stop you, but you can beat someone like a rented mule, and still be respectful.

I don't think it belongs to the players, because the refs are there to keep the game under control and within the confines of the rules. If a player is losing his cool and can't show restraint to keep from taunting, a ref isn't going to let me pile drive him into the stands either, before, during or after a play.

Retaliation isn't allowed and inciting or giving someone a reason outside the rules for retaliation shouldn't be either. Taunting shouldn't be a part of the game. Give respect, gain respect, play hard. Makes games much more enjoyable to watch.

Give some serious penalties for that type of bush league 2 year old behavior, and the players will take care of it, his own teammates will. He'll act like a man, or be run out of the locker room

 

[ATL96Steeler]

You're making good points, and I don't disagree with them...but from an emotional standpoint if a player taunts you, and a team is still throwing to score already up 40 in 4Q carry the same baggage imo. In fact I think a player would get over the taunting a lot quicker...in either case, they are trying to show you up, or embarrass you.

Officials vs players...in MLB a player hits a home run and shows up the pitcher rounding the bases...the next batter probably knows he might be in for some chin music...certainly the showman would be on his next at bat.

 

[Black Adam]

NFL may consider negating touchdowns for taunting penalties | ProFootballTalk

Poll forthcoming.

This just in from the NFL front office:

"There will be a 15 yard penalty and a 10,000$ fine on any player who has a smile during the games or thinks warm thoughts"...

 

[SonnyCID]

While we are at it, why don't we kick guys out of the game for foul and discouraging language on the field. There is no place for such verbal taunting, and the ONLY way to deal with this epidemic is by ejecting anyone that may call someone else à name.

 

[Mondio]

i agree they're trying to embarrass you, but one is within the confines of the rules If they wanted to allow taunting and all that other stuff I think they'd change their viewership in a hurry. I respect competitors, i'll pay money to see them, take time out of my busy days to watch them. I don't spend money or time to watch a circus.

I think MLB and the NFL are different. One is far more physical, i'd hate to see refs lose control of an NFL game like umps do in baseball, but I guess punching guys in helmets is a dumb idea and most would learn quickly. Anyway, I think throwing at batters, walking around bases, puffing your chest after a home run, talking crap to a pitcher, etc are all the signs of low class. I don't pay money to see that stuff. I want good pitching, good defense, and good batters, if I was interested in the other stuff, i'd be going to the circus or watching all star wrestling, but I'm not. I like to see a linebacker truck an Olineman on his way to the qb. I like to see them line up again and watch the pulling guard bury that linebacker on the next running play, and then they get up and do it again. I like sports, I like sportsmanship. I think most people do.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

"but one is within the confines of the rules".

I think that's why they're trying to change this because both appear to be within the rules.

We're really on the same page here...I don't, and I don't think anyone wants to see the NFL turn into WWF or something...it's a violent, emotional game played by guys who (as per norm) probably would not be working for any law firms if they weren't playing this sport. You play it as hard as you can for 60 mins, and when it's over you shake hands, etc. and call it day.

If Tate's antics were more rampant throughout the league, maybe the NFL would need to step in and apply something to deter it...I don't think we are there yet.

Enjoyed the debate if you will.

 

[MrMoJoRisin63]

It's odd to me that people are so bent out of shape on this. I don't think anyone has an issue with a TD Celebration, or even a sack celebration. But taunting has no place in the game, it's childish, unprofessional, degrading, classless and just not needed. And then the extremes some people have taken this to talking about the NBA etc, really? I would love for taunting to be gone from the game and for the league to lighten up on TD Celebrations.

 

[Mr. Tacoma]

This just in from the NFL front office:

"There will be a 15 yard penalty and a 10,000$ fine on any player who has a smile during the games or thinks warm thoughts"...

Part two of that rule:

"Any player found not wearing a cardigan and enjoying tea and crumpets on his days off will have all of his scoring plays negated the following week.

Furthermore, players displaying improperly extended pinky fingers during the aforementioned tea time shall be fined no less than $10,000"

 

[Breaker99]

I would have no problem.... if say.... golden Tates touchdown didn't count. In that scenario if the called a 15 yard penalty from the spot of the taunt I would be Ok with that. There is no place for that in today's game