Sports
Sports

NFL relaxes touchdown celebration rules

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown twerking after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins.

Credit: Rob Carr

Credit: Rob Carr

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown twerking after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins.
By Juliakate E Culpepper
May 23, 2017

Snow angels are back in, but twerking is still out.

The NFL will now allow players to celebrate after touchdowns by using the football as a prop, celebrating on the ground and group celebrations.

In a statement signed by NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell on Tuesday, the League announced celebration rules will be relaxed next season after consulting with many current and former players.

How to do the 'Dirty Bird'

Goodell wrote offensive actions, prolonged celebrations that delay the game and celebrations directed at opponents will still be penalized.

“We know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown,” Goodell wrote in the statement. “And players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.”

Here’s how NFL fans reacted to the news:

About the Author

Juliakate E Culpepper
More Stories

Keep Reading

Jackson State players celebrate victory over South Carolina State in the 2024 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Tigers are once again in contention for a spot in the bowl game. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2024)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Atlanta awaits: Celebration Bowl picture comes into focus

The annual showcase pits the champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in a spotlight game for HBCU football.

2h ago
KEN SUGIURA

3-pointer: ACC’s risky schedule format, UGA’s potential bye, a Falcons bright spot

ACC’s future 9-game format could cause title confusion, and Georgia’s potential CFP bye might hurt more than help. Meanwhile, Falcons rookie Cobee Bryant impresses in debut.

The Win Column: Please rank Atlanta’s sports teams

The Latest

Jackson State players celebrate victory over South Carolina State in the 2024 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Tigers are once again in contention for a spot in the bowl game. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2024)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Atlanta awaits: Celebration Bowl picture comes into focus

2h ago
KEN SUGIURA

3-pointer: ACC’s risky schedule format, UGA’s potential bye, a Falcons bright spot

The Win Column: Please rank Atlanta’s sports teams

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones scores another victory over use of campaign cash

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appears to have scored another victory over Attorney General Chris Carr as the Republican gubernatorial candidates battle over campaign finance issues.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.’s season is over; needs surgery to repair ACL

Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons hoped was their quarterback of the future, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his left knee.

Typewriter Tom fuels a growing interest in analog writing devices

Roswell's Tom Rehkopf owns about 1,000 typewriters, which he tinkers with at his workshop and happily shares with fellow aficionados, curious youngsters and even Tom Hanks.