LaVar has something to say...

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 9:10 pm

Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Paul Tagliabue has a powerful message for NFL players when they get to the end zone: Stash that cell phone.
And don't even think about anything more elaborate to celebrate a touchdown.
The commissioner warned players Friday that harsher discipline for over-the-top demonstrations are on the way.
He said unsportsmanlike conduct will draw stronger penalties and fines, even leaving open the possibility of suspensions.
Coaches and team owners have urged him "to take that stuff out of the game," he said during his state of the NFL address, held each year prior to the Super Bowl. He said the NFL Players' Association and the league's competition committee will discuss stronger punishment for stunts such as pulling out a cell phone in the end zone after a touchdown.
The New Orleans Saints' Joe Horn did exactly that on national television during a Sunday night game; the team was fined $30,000.
"Take taunting out of the game, take unsportsmanlike conduct out of the game," he said. "Cell phones, pens, all the other things, penalties likely will escalate if this does not stop."
Tagliabue said many coaches called him to say they were outraged by these episodes.
"They thought these were way outside the rules and uncalled for and humiliating to their players and embarrassing to players in general," he said.
Two years ago, San Francisco's Terrell Owens pulled a pen out of his sock and autographed a football after scoring a touchdown, prompting a warning from Tagliabue to all teams that similar acts would be punished.

"I think it's absurd," Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington said. "It's entertainment. It's a sport. This isn't Desert Storm and it's not Iraq.
"My father went to Vietnam and gave up both his legs for this country. If someone wants to show off, it's no big deal to me. That's a lot bigger deal."

Look. It's me. I'm not a LaVar-basher. I'm just wondering how he equated stiff penalties for over-exuberance to Vietnam ? I mean, it's not like the Commissioner drew any type of correlation for Arrington to jump on. What gives here ?

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 11:20 pm

I guess he wants to show off some celebration moves this year. Or maybe just wants to have Tagliabue loosen up. Maybe, by bringing in his connection to actual wars, he may just want to make a statement to tell the commish that football is just a game, not something that has to be smacked like an un-tamed dog. Just my My 2 cents

dallasisdead2004 · Post by **dallasisdead2004** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 12:07 am

Distasteful as they may seem, there should be better things to argue about than touchdown celebrations. I think LaVar might have added his father's war story just to put that point into perspective. Tagliabue was on the money about flaunting...that's just disrespectful and uncalled for.

Some people are extremely humble about winning/celebrating and others are more eccentric. I don't support pulling a cell phone out of the goal post, but I must admit, it made me chuckle. Shouldn't more focus be placed on, say, performace 'roids than a little over-the-top celebration?

ps. Anyone happen to catch LaVar on "While You Were Out" on TLC tonight? The host tried to show off a Ravens jersey @ Redskin Park and LaVar ripped it off him! Better Recognize!

LaVarArringtonsBitch · Sat Jan 31, 2004 1:33 am

I guess the No Fun League abbrevation is coming true.

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:57 am

The problem with the whole "celebration" attitude in today's NFL is that it isn't confined to TD's. They celebrate everthing: making a tackle, getting near a tackle, gaining a yard, losing a yard - kicking a extra point - you get my drift.

I am old school and think all this "Look at me" crap just doesn't wash in a team oriented game. Get excited, have some fun, show enthusiasm, but keep it real folks. (Did anyone really enjoy watching Sapp's TD dance - please!!!)

Act like you've been their before like Riggins, Monk, Rice.

This ain't war we are talking about, but if some of the more recent SKINS took their jobs half as serious they may be where Carolina is right now instead of planning their SB tailgate menu.

Just play the game and do your job and celebrate when you win the SB - Hell, then you can do all the stupid crap you want.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 3:23 pm

Once again, Lavar runs off his mouth to get some attention on himself and get some air time. That was a ridiculous analogy. How do you compare Vietnam and the NFL?? If you're going to say something, at least have some common sense, be smart about it. Just don't yap away. He still does not have a clue that he is on the field to win games, not to entertain. Lavar, just shut your mouth until the season starts. The first thing Gibbs will teach you when you make a sack or score a touchdown is to act like you have been there before.

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:14 pm

Guest wrote:Once again, Lavar runs off his mouth to get some attention on himself and get some air time. That was a ridiculous analogy. How do you compare Vietnam and the NFL?? If you're going to say something, at least have some common sense, be smart about it. Just don't yap away. He still does not have a clue that he is on the field to win games, not to entertain. Lavar, just shut your mouth until the season starts. The first thing Gibbs will teach you when you make a sack or score a touchdown is to act like you have been there before.

ike075 · Post by **ike075** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 8:12 pm

I do not post often but I more enjoy reading what everyone else has to say. The past season this place was a place of therapy for me. This is a topic I feel very strongly about. I agree that maybe what Lavar said was a bit strong however I think the point he was making was this is football and it is ENTERTAINMENT and their job is to entertain. Yeah pulling out a cell phone was funny. I think grown adults should not be getting into fights (which is what they are trying to avoid by doing this) just because there was a celebration at the end of a hard fought touchdown. I think the only thing that should be avoided is going into the other teams face. That’s it. I am sorry but I respectfully disagree with those who think it should be ruled out. I watch a game to forget everything and be entertained and I do not know a single person who was not entertained for example by the Iky shuffle. People watched the games and looked forward to catching the shuffle. It’s funny and enjoyable. Lavar's point was that this is just a game and we all got to chill out and not take everything so seriously. There are times like war where we need to be serious and there are times like a football game where we don't. Lavar’s dad fought for freedom and in a way that is exactly what the commissioner is limiting by not allowing these types of celebration. I will now go back into my shell not to be herd from until the next subject that strikes a cord. I love this place and keep up the great work!

Amberion · Post by **Amberion** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:52 pm

I agree ike

I remember the fun bunch and the endzone celebrations

I am even old enough to remember Mark Gastineau and his sack dance

I am also old enough to have been at school with people who went and fought and died in Vietnam and LaVar is absolutely and unequivocably correct.

It is just a game - game should be enjoyed (if not what is the point) and be entertaining.

Tagliabue is trying to kill of one of the great games most interesting moments :explode:

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 8:57 am

I do not know a single person who was not entertained for example by the Iky shuffle

You've just met one. Not only the Iky shuffle, but that rediculous stuff done by Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, who, you may or may not know, actually started this crap.

Play the game. "Act like you've been there before". Yeah, that's it.

TopHawg · Post by **TopHawg** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 1:55 pm

Alls Lavar was saying is that the commish needs to stop taking this so serious. Lavar is right. Football is fun. The more fun the players have is the more fun the fans have. So let folks have fun.

gibbsfan · Post by **gibbsfan** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 3:05 pm

dallasisdead2004 wrote:Distasteful as they may seem, there should be better things to argue about than touchdown celebrations. I think LaVar might have added his father's war story just to put that point into perspective. Tagliabue was on the money about flaunting...that's just disrespectful and uncalled for.

Some people are extremely humble about winning/celebrating and others are more eccentric. I don't support pulling a cell phone out of the goal post, but I must admit, it made me chuckle. Shouldn't more focus be placed on, say, performace 'roids than a little over-the-top celebration?

ps. Anyone happen to catch LaVar on "While You Were Out" on TLC tonight? The host tried to show off a Ravens jersey @ Redskin Park and LaVar ripped it off him! Better Recognize!

touchdown celebrations should be allowed period but how far do you take it.if lavar,s not talking then thats not lavar being lavar.it,s a game not a war. i also remember gary clarks highsteppin act in the back of the endzone as well
along with the fun bunch that i don,t have a problem with.
on the other hand cell phones shouldn,t be allowed.

psummersjr · Post by **psummersjr** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 3:59 pm

I really think it's a matter of degree and professionalism. Excessive and ridiculous celebration turns the game into a joke. When Terrel Owens pulled out the sharpie or the other dude pulled out his cell phone, it makes the game look like a joke. On the other hand, Lavar is right (isn't he always?), it is still a game, don't take it TOO seriously.

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 4:05 pm

psummersjr wrote:I really think it's a matter of degree and professionalism. Excessive and ridiculous celebration turns the game into a joke. When Terrel Owens pulled out the sharpie or the other dude pulled out his cell phone, it makes the game look like a joke. On the other hand, Lavar is right (isn't he always?), it is still a game, don't take it TOO seriously.

I think if its in fun... whats wrong with it? The league is getting old and grumpy INMO

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 4:24 pm

who here didn't enjoy sapp's "jiggy dance"? kept people talking for weeks. there needs to be that element of freedom in the game. nothing wrong with a guy celebrating, as long as it isn't taunting. My 2 cents

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:39 pm

I think it's crap that individualized celebration is fine, but god forbid, the whole offense celebrate together as a unit. I have been bitter at the league ever since they banned the fun bunch. This is what they get. It's OK to dance around in the end zone like an idiot or strike a pose after a sack when your team is 5-11, but heaven forbid your team jumps up and gives a high five. Instead of banning stuff, bring back the team oriented celebrations and guys won't have time to make cell phone calls or sign autographs. They'll be too busy celebrating with their teammates.

newshog · Post by **newshog** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 1:11 pm

Here's the argument against allowing excessive, non-spontaneous celebrations: when do they stop?

So you let one guy pull a cell phone out and fake a call.

The next guy feels he has to top that, so he has a laptop along the sidelines and runs over to send out a fake e-mail.

The next guy feels he has to top even that, so he runs over, flips up the flap on a replay thing and dances while pretending to watch his brilliant play over and over.

And so on until the last guy feels he has to top all the others that came before, so he arranges for the 116th Fighter Wing to do a flyover when he gets a first down.

In other words--how do you keep it from escalating WAY beyond the bounds of football? How do you keep the players from making the celebration more important (to them and to us) than the game itself?

Is it wrong to want to keep the focus on the field?