Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

If it weren't for the Saints, crap like this would make me not watch the NFL.
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It’s become commonplace in the NFL for players who make a big play to spin the ball on the ground in celebration. But this year, players are being warned that there’s a fine line between celebrating and taunting — and if they cross that line, it’s a 15-yard penalty.

Reports today from members of the media at Vikings camp and Panthers camp indicate that referees working training camps are warning players that they’ll be penalized if they taunt opponents by spinning the ball.

This is not a new rule: The 2012 official playing rules listed examples of prohibited acts that will result in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, saying, “These acts include but are not limited to: sack dances; home run swing; incredible hulk; spiking the ball; throwing or shoving the ball; pointing; pointing the ball; verbal taunting; military salute; standing over an opponent (prolonged and with provocation; or dancing.”

But the fact that officials at two different training camps made a specific point of mentioning spinning the ball suggests that officials will be stricter about enforcing that rule this year than they were last year.

One player, Panthers receiver Steve Smith, even said he’s working on ways to continue his ball-spinning celebrations while staying within the rules. Smith, and every other NFL player, would be wise to err on the side of caution. Players may enjoy spinning the ball to celebrate, but no celebration is worth 15 yards.

Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty | ProFootballTalk

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

Boo!!!!

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

Yeah ... yet another way to ruin the game ..... someone please fire Goodell!

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

I'm probably in the minority but I always enjoyed watching the old timers score a td then hand the ball to the ref. No sense in showing up the opponent after you just skull drug them on a 80 yard drive.

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

Goodell is effing clueless. This is just reaching the point of being outright silly. It's comical. Might as well call it the NO FUN LEAGUE.

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

Ahh its so boring. I want the sharpie. The cell phone. Running to the star. I'm all for the showboating. If a team or player doesn't like it, stop em from scoring. That's my motto. Lol.

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

I hate all that stuff. I lost all respect for Joe Horn when he pulled that cellphone crap, I was happy when he left the team.

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

Geez, :rolleyes: ... probably the only two celebrations I like are spinning the ball and/or dunking it over the crossbar ... other than that, hand the ball to the ref & get out of the endzone ... man, I swear, the way things are going, I'm gonna' start paying less & less attention to the NFL ... and after Calvin retires, :mrgreen:.

http://www.nfldraft101.com/media/photos/6810190.jpg

Re: Officials warn players: Spinning the ball can result in a penalty
 

Idk bro, it just doesn't bother me at all. Its a game. They play a game for a living. Football is so much more fun when both teams are talking and celebrating. It gives it an added emotion. When you play as many games as most of them have its not always easy to get amped up without a catalyst. They might as well build a team full of emotionaless robots.