NFL players may soon have something to celebrate, figuratively, regarding their ability to celebrate, literally.
As explained on Sunday’s edition of NBC’s Football Night in America, the NFL will be taking a closer look at player celebrations in the offseason. Specifically, the league office will produce for the Competition Committee a compilation of a wide variety of player celebrations.
The evidence could prompt the Competition Committee to conclude that the rules regarding celebrations should be relaxed. This year, many players and fans have balked at the so-called No Fun League’s decision to flag and/or fine players for displaying excessive exuberance.
The recent explanation from senior V.P. of officiating Dean Blandino that the officials have a certain amount of discretion to permit snow angels fairly could be regarded as a hint at what could come after the Competition Committee considers the issue and makes recommendations to ownership. Under current rules, the officials have no discretion regarding players who go to the ground for any reason other than prayer.
There’s a chance that the current rules could end up getting a bit of an overhaul, with players given greater freedom to express themselves after achieving a positive outcome on the football field.