Make way for the return of NFL touchdown hijinks

League lifts restrictions on celebrations in the end zone, shortens OT to 10 minutes

The No Fun League is no more. It’s the Some Fun League now.

Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday announced the NFL’s decision to lighten up and allow a wider range of look-at-me scoring celebrations.

In a letter to fans titled, “Touchdown celebrations: snow angels, group demonstrations and more are back!” Goodell wrote that, after he held conversations with more than 80 current and former players, “we are relaxing our rules on celebrations to allow players more room to have fun after they make big plays.

“We know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown. And players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.”

Goodell cited three examples of actions now permitted:

Using the football as a prop after a TD Celebrating on the ground Group demonstrations Goodell said he disagrees with concerns that loosening the rule would result in improper actions that don’t set a good example for youths.

“I think the players will do this in a way that will be responsible, show good sportsmanship and do it in a way that I think is entertaining but also respectful,” Goodell told reporters.

It’s time. It’s both a good move and a good look for the Commish and the league. It’s just too bad they didn’t go far enough.

Goodell also wrote that celebrations that are offensive, prolonged, delay the game, or are directed at an opponent still will constitute a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

It’s just what the NFL didn’t need: another vague rule that’s open to interpretation and begs controversy and sows embitterment.

NEW BYLAW

NFL owners have passed three bylaws. First, overtime periods will be reduced from 15 minutes to 10. That opens up the possibility, albeit unlikely, that a team receiving the overtime kickoff can use up all 10 minutes just to kick a winning field goal. So much for both sides getting a possession in OT.

SUPER RELOCATION

After the Rams announced spring rains have forced a one-year construction delay on their glitzy new stadium in Los Angeles, NFL owners voted to similarly delay the venue’s first Super Bowl. Instead of playing host to Super Bowl LV after the 2020 season, Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s dome gets Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.

The venue now is slated to open for the 2020 season. Tampa Bay will host the 2020 title game.

CORTEZ KENNEDY DIES

Hall of Fame defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy was found dead Tuesday in Orlando.

USA Today quoted an Orlando police spokeswoman as saying there’s “nothing suspicious” about the 48-year-old’s death.

Kennedy played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks from 1990-2000. He made eight Pro Bowls and entered the Hall of Fame in 2012.

MARSHALL OFFENCE

New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson verbally walloped former teammate Brandon Marshall, the veteran receiver now with the New York Giants.

Richardson told reporters the Jets locker-room “is a whole lot easier to get along with now.” Why? “We’ve got 15 reasons why it’s better,” he said.

Marshall wore No. 15 last year.