It took nearly two weeks and a meeting of the minds from the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA), but after all that high-priced talent hashed things out, we’ve come to a conclusion that will affect humanity.
NFL players are allowed to celebrate big plays by simulating drinking.
So, drink up, boys!
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It no longer matters what’s on a player’s mind when he mimics drinking during a celebration. He might be thinking about sipping tea, as Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor apparently was after scoring a touchdown on Sunday in London.
He might be thinking about drinking juice, as Kyle Juszczyk insisted he was doing when he was fined after Week 2. The player might be mimicking taking a drink from a Gatorade bottle as Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson claimed he was doing when he was fined.
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And even this: The player could even be thinking he’s shotgunning a beer. It’s fine now rather than headed for a fine. That’s because the path is now clear on all drinking, sipping, chugging and shotgunning beverages in the NFL.
Peace on Earth!
In a joint statement issued by the league and the NFLPA on Wednesday, it was explained that celebrations including “imitating drinking a beverage” will not be considered a violation.
“Football is the greatest game in the world,” the NFL and the NFLPA said in a statement released jointly. “NFL players are admired by millions of fans, including young people competing at every level of the sport.
“The passion emotion, and personality players bring to the field are a big part of what makes the game special and connects them with fans worldwide. Good sportsmanship is equally important:
“To clarify the line between player expression and conduct that may result in discipline, players were reminded this week that the following are prohibited and may result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, a fine, or both:
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“Conversely, recent celebrations imitating drinking a beverage will not be considered violations or result in discipline. The league-wide guidance provides players with greater clarity on how they can celebrate while remaining within the rules.
“When conduct falls into a gray area, the league will contact the player and provide direction before imposing discipline. The player will be advised that continued use of the identified celebration may result in future fines.
“Individual and team celebrations are part of the game and help players connect with fans. Providing clear, consistent guidance allows players to express themselves while upholding the principles of sportsmanship that have long been a hallmark of NFL football.”
This is a pendulum that seemed to swing so violently against any sort of beverage celebration two weeks ago, flying all the way back in the other direction and then some.
So much so that, as the memo states, the NFL is adopting a new approach to what it does when a player seemingly crosses a line during a celebration.
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The league will communicate with the player first. If the NFL decides that the celebration will not be allowed, the player will be fined only if he continues the same celebration afterward.
“We raised this issue and pushed for greater clarity around what will and won’t result in discipline,” NFLPA executive director JC Tretter posted on X. “When something falls into a gray area, communication and education should come before punishment. We’re glad the league will seek to educate players before immediately defaulting to a fine.”
It is not known to what extent the backlash to the rash of fines and the league’s marketing and sponsorship agreement with Bud Light played a role in it backtracking on Wednesday.
The NFL did, for example, rescind the fines previously levied on Ferguson and Juszczyk. And Taylor will not be fined.
They’ll all drink to that.
