NFL to loosen celebration rules; will Ickey Shuffle make cut?

8 Jan 1989: Running back Ickey Woods of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates during a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won the game, 21-10.

Credit: Rick Stewart

Credit: Rick Stewart

8 Jan 1989: Running back Ickey Woods of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates during a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won the game, 21-10.

Are we going to have to start calling the NFL the Some Fun League?

Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed Tuesday more celebrations will be allowed this season.

This sounds like good news for former Cincinnati Bengals great Chad Johnson but not so much Ickey Woods.

Going to the ground and using the ball as a prop (such as Johnson pretending a golf putt in one celebration and giving the ball a chest compressions a la CPR in another) will be allowed. So will making snow angels if you’re into that kind of thing.

CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 26: Chad Johnson #85 of Cincinnati Bengals celebrates with fans in the seating area after the Bengals 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks on October 26, 2003 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

icon to expand image

However, “prolonged acts” will continue to be banned.

What does that mean? Well it sounds like something that would include the Ickey Shuffle, although that is not quite clear.

Also still to be against the rules: miming weapons and sexually suggestive moves (such as twerking).

About the Author