High School Football-Without the Fun

by Jackson Fritz

Everyone knows about football celebrations. The dancing after a long touchdown catch. The arms flying up after a sack or big tackle. Everyone should be allowed to celebrate after a big play. In pickup games with my friends we always celebrate forced fumbles, interceptions, hard hits, and long touchdown passes. However, in many high school football games players are being penalized for things as little as chest bumping or holding up a finger to the sky.

In the NFL, new policies have led to a crackdown on “unsportsmanlike celebrations.” Players like Terrell Owens or Chad Ochocinco, who have been known to have over the top dances after touchdowns, have been penalized for these celebrations. It seems that the National Federation for State High School Associations(NFSHSA) has caught on the NFL and is banning almost any type of celebration.

Recently, a running back for Broad Run High School was suspended for a game for clapping twice and chest bumping a teammate. He had just scored a 63-yard touchdown run.

Another player from Gwynn Park was penalized 15 yards for pointing to the sky after an interception. He says he was only honoring his dead grandfather.

These penalties are ridiculous. I agree with the NFL to stop completely unnecessary celebrations, like jumping into the crowd or pulling your helmet off and running around. But players are entitled to celebrate their hard work and success. A 63-yard touchdown run is huge. Players should be able to celebrate with each other. Nothing is unsportsmanlike about raising a finger after a well-caught interception. High school officials are going to far to try and mold more sportsmanlike players.

Let’s face it, we’re teenagers. The football players are running full of testosterone and love to celebrate hard work. It’s even bigger when there’s a crowd cheering you on. Telling these players to stop the natural thing to do is against, well, nature. These football players train 5, 6 times a week. They work through pain to become better, while also competing with difficult classes at school. Some players only get the chance to have one big play in all of their seasons playing in high school. Is it too much to ask to allow them to high five a teammate, or pump a fist in the air? The players have earned at least that much, if not more.

It’s understandable that the NFSHSA wants to turn high school athletes into more sportsmanlike players. But take away their right to a small celebration, and your telling them that happiness is better off not expressed.