This week the NFL sent out a reminder to teams about the importance of playing the game with sportsmanship, and distributed a short list of specific taunts and end zone celebrations that are prohibited in an attempt to provide better role modeling for kids. NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino specifically wants to eliminate the following:
- “Anything directed at an opponent”
- “Anything that mimics a violent act … or weaponry”
- Celebrations that are “sexually suggestive”
- Choreographed celebrations that include more than one teammate, use the ball as a prop or include the player going to the ground.
The NFL has witnessed a dramatic change over the years regarding how players show emotions on the field after big plays and touchdowns. In the beginning when the NFL first formed rarely did you see players “working the crowd” by means of taunting opponents and celebrating after scores. In the 1970’s and 80’s players seemed to allow a little more emotion to come out by spiking the football after a score and other similar, relatively innocuous celebrations. Today, however, it is not uncommon at all to see a player engage in a full-on celebration dance, and sometimes after making a simple, routine tackle. Apparently, the NFL wants to stop this trend from growing and having an impact on a generation of kids watching, and have provided new standards (“legal celebrations”) for players:
- Spiking (not directed at an opponent)
- Bowing to the crowd
- Saluting to the ground
- Hugs
Sportsmanship
While we always hope to see sportsmanship at all levels of competition, the reality is that at the college and professional levels of sport standards for sportsmanship are typically looser than when compared to youth sports. For example, some taunting is generally accepted in professional sports, whereas taunting at the youth and interscholastic levels is almost always met with a penalty (or worse). Similarly, professional sports tend to grant more latitude when it comes to touchdown celebrations compared to youth and interscholastic sports, yet another reason for us to more closely examine how these behaviors impact young athletes and their views on sportsmanship.
NFL challenges
A big challenge for the NFL is addressing aspects of the game that need attention, but balancing those concerns against what fans want. For example, while the NFL is making direct steps to cut down on taunting and on-field celebrations, do fans want this? Remember, the NFL runs because fans pay the bills, and fan input does, to a degree, impact the ways in which the NFL game evolves. The NFL, therefore, is constantly challenged to adapt and respond to concerns and issues, but at the same time make sure they aren’t going to lose their audience as a result. Apparently when it comes to this aspect of sportsmanship, the NFL has decided in favor of reigning things in rather than allowing these demonstrations to continue (as some fans might like).
Kudos to the NFL for taking this step, as the league’s action will absolutely have a direct and positive impact on the millions of kids who regularly watch NFL games. The specific actions the NFL has targeted include portrayals of violence and sexual suggestion, actions that have no place in sports at any level, but especially in youth and interscholastic sports.
Parent sportsmanship tips
- Teach your kids to win with grace, and model this behavior to them directly by not gloating and being sure to respect the opponent. Be sure to positively reinforce this behavior when you see your child using good sportsmanship on the field.
- Remind kids that they represent more than themselves when they compete, as they represent their teammates, coaches, school, and entire community.
- Ask your child to think about what it would be like if the other team taunted, intimidated, and engaged in poor sportsmanship — how would that feel? Sometimes when we step in the other shoes we can better appreciate the importance of things — including sportsmanship.
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