This week at the NFL League meeting in Chicago, the competition committee loosened its regulations on touchdown celebrations. The new policy allows players to use the ground in the celebration, involving other players, or using the football as a prop.
"I think the game is supposed to be a game that's a very competitive game and it's a tough game but it's fun," head coach Bill O'Brien said Wednesday. "These guys have fun playing. I think, in the end, that's what the league is trying to 'allow these guys to do' is to continue to have fun. If it steps over the bounds of certain things as we all know in normal society, then it's got to get flagged. I don't think it's that hard to show, especially our team. We have a bunch of great guys. They understand what it means and we'll show them examples of what you can and can't do. I think the league is just trying to continue to make sure that the fans and the players have fun."
Here are a few celebrations that are now legal under the new policy:
DeAndre Hopkins and "The Dead Fish" in Week 4 against Buffalo (2014):
J.J. Watt's Nae-Nae/Jae-Jae, starring Whitney Mercilus and A.J. Bouye, in Week 5 against Indianapolis (2015):
No fine or flag was incurred on the play, but now celebrations involving teammates are allowed.
A collection of photos of J.J. Watt from the 2015 season.
