The NFL has a reputation for legislating against fun, but it did the opposite this offseason by loosening its rules for celebrations. There are still plenty of antics that players won’t be able to do after big plays — celebrations deemed sexual or violent in nature are still illegal.
Which celebrations are now allowed in the NFL this season?
Here’s a quick rundown of the NFL’s new celebration rules.


But the NFL is going to allow more good-hearted entertainment, so get ready for a little more dancing in 2017.
Here’s what you can expect to see after touchdowns in 2017:
Now legal: Premeditated group celebrations
Excessive celebration is still illegal, so choreographed musical numbers that delay the game won’t be allowed. However, it will now be OK for players to join up with teammates and celebrate together.
Technically, the NFL made premeditated or choreographed celebrations illegal in 1984, but it was hardly enforced until a crackdown came in 2004. In the two decades before 2004, there were famous group celebrations like the St. Louis Rams’ “Bob and Weave” during the team’s “Greatest Show on Turf” years.
In 2016, Devin Funchess hopped in on Kelvin Benjamin’s touchdown dance against the San Francisco 49ers and earned the team a 15-yard penalty.
Funchess and Benjamin also got a $12,154 fine each for the celebration.
They won’t have to worry about that in 2017 and can even get the offensive linemen involved if they want. Antonio Brown, for one, is ready to see more big man dancing.
Still illegal: Sexually suggestive acts
This one kind of falls under the “I know it when I see it” category. Twerking is a no-no and doing only two pumps instead of three like Hingle McCringleberry probably isn’t going to save you either.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy argues that the face really sells the sexuality of the dance and can be the difference between a 15-yard penalty and grooving.
In general, though, any dancing with the hips is going to be borderline.
Now legal: Going to the ground
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe had to adjust his nap celebration after his first career touchdown earned him a flag and a $12,154 fine.
Luckily for Sharpe, he can go back to plan A and take brief naps in the end zone whenever he wants.
The legalization of celebrations on the ground also means we can see more snow angels. That’s the really important part of this rule, because there’s really no other way to celebrate during a snowy game in December.
Still illegal: Violent imagery
The NFL still doesn’t want players crossing lines that could be deemed offensive. That’s why sexually suggestive dances, and celebrations considered violent, remain off limits.
That means you won’t be allowed to throat slash or fire an imaginary gun. Even medieval weaponry is a no, as Josh Norman and Brandin Cooks found out in 2016.
Norman and Cooks are both still hopeful that shooting a pretend bow and arrow will eventually be legal. But for now it’s considered violent imagery and that still draws a flag in 2017.
Now legal: Ball as a prop
There aren’t many examples of players using a ball as a prop in recent years. That’s probably because it typically requires some forethought and premeditation to think of a way to involve the ball in your celebration beyond something simple like a spike.
Vernon Davis got a penalty and $12,154 fine for using the ball as a prop when he pulled up for a jump shot over the crossbar last year.
Maybe even worse was Terrelle Pryor’s penalty for using the ball as a prop when he held it in his hand during an homage to LeBron James.
But don’t go overboard, NFL players.
You can’t pull a Sharpie out of your sock to autograph a football like Terrell Owens. And you can’t make a call on a cell phone you stashed away like Joe Horn.
But feel free to revive a ball with some CPR like Chad Ochocinco.
Still illegal: Dunking through the goalposts
One use of the ball that is still verboten is a dunk through the goalposts. Even if it’s as awesome as the 360 dunk that Davante Adams pulled off last year.
There’s a reason for this penalty, though, and it’s not just hate of sweet basketball skills.
In 2013, Jimmy Graham dunked in the Georgia Dome and left the goalposts in one end zone decidedly crooked.
The league would prefer not to have to ask someone to come out with a ladder and a level every time someone tries to start the NFL’s version of a Slam Dunk Contest.
The NFL is allowing a lot more leeway, and as long as players stay within those lines, we’re set for some memorable celebrations this season.


















