What's with all these crackdowns on spontaneous sports celebrations? It seems like an athlete who scores a big goal or wins a big race can't do anything fun without someone calling the celebration rude or in poor taste.
The NFL already penalizes players for doing any kind of touchdown dance or being too enthusiastic when they spike the ball. In the NBA, players are given technical fouls if they hang on the rim after slamming the ball. In August, 2001 at the Canada Games in Ontario, Daniel Blouin was disqualified from the 3,000-meter steeplechase when he mooned the crowd after after winning the bronze medal in the race. The decision was later overturned after Daniel apologized.
But what's the big deal? Can't athletes just have some fun and be proud of their accomplishments? One of the best things about sports is the thrill of competition. When you win, it makes you feel great and sometimes you do goofy things. Why try to stop that natural emotion that makes sport so fun to play and so entertaining to watch? Watching a football player dance, seeing Brandy Chastaine run around the field in a sports bra, or the odd full moon gets the crowd involved in the games. Those kind of displays are also how athletes express their natural emotions that come from winning or losing.
Sports competitions aren't just about winning or losing. They're also about having fun and celebrating your achievements. So let the athletes celebrate, already! Dropping your pants or taking off your shirt and running around isn't something that you should do in the classroom or while you're having dinner. But on the court or the field while you're in the heat of battle - running around naked, dumping juice on your coach or dancing around like a spaz should be just fine.
What do you think about wild sports celebrations? Are they good fun or rude and obnoxious? or anything else you wanna rant about to Kidzworld.
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