If former Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez decides to come out of retirement, he may also have to reconsider his touchdown celebration.
NFL officials, meeting this week in Orlando, voted to penalize the celebratory goalpost dunk - a feat largely credited to the future Hall of Famer Gonzalez. Starting in 2014, players who put the ball through the goal in a scoring tribute will be penalized 15 yards under the rule banning the use of a football as a prop, according to NFL head of officiating Dean Blandino.
Since 1997, Gonzalez threaded the ball through the crossbar after scoring a touchdown. In all he performed the task more than 100 times - leaping the height of the Bank of America tower - and was imitated 100 times more by players across the league.
Gonzalez voiced his concern over the decision via Twitter.
The NFL says no more dunking over the goalpost. This one I don't understand. Looks like I got out just in time.
Of course, Gonzalez opted not to return to the Falcons, or the NFL, and will be a football analyst for CBS on Sundays.
Perhaps the reason for the change can be attributed to New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, who - in the sincerest form of flattery? - tipped the goal post at the Georgia Dome last November with an aggressive slam after a touchdown. (See below)
Way to ruin it for everyone.
Oooops! pic.twitter.com/LXsSniOF7C
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