Jim Nantz Doesn’t Like ‘Absurdity Of All The Self-Aggrandizing,’ Phil Simms Begs To Differ
“I’ve never understood the absurdity of all the self-aggrandizing. Now you’ve cost your team 15 yards on the kick.”
That's what Nantz said, ragging on a celebration started by Shonn Greene after his fourth quarter touchdown gave the Jets a two-touchdown lead. My eyes rolled, and I wasn't the only one.
But wait, here’s Phil Simms (!), voice of reason (!?):
”I’ve got to say this: there’s a time to celebrate ... that was it.“Well said, Phil Simms. Well said.
No words praising propriety from Nantz would be particularly surprising — Nantz loves The Masters and its airtight atmosphere more than anything. But it’s not easy to take at face value, either: Nantz’ divorce from his ex-wife was notable for her claim that he wanted to hang an oil painting of himself, which is as humble as humble gets, no?
I tend to think that all athletes should be able to celebrate however they want, so long as no one gets hurt. And given the situation — the Jets had just scored a dagger touchdown to all but seal a huge upset of their hated rivals — it’s hard to begrudge Greene rolling around a bit.
In any case, though, it’s nice to hear someone sticking up for fun, even if it defies logic that that person would be Phil Simms. Nantz can have the so-vanilla-it’s-alabaster Masters; the rest of us will continue to enjoy livelier forms of entertainment as they are.
After all, Rex Ryan can’t run down to pat his player on the head at The Masters.
