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The NFL is encouraging its referees to make a 2013 rule against player
"Violations of (b) will be penalized if any of the acts are committed directly at an opponent. These acts include but are not limited to: sack dances; home run swing; incredible hulk; spiking the ball; throwing or shoving the ball; pointing; pointing the ball; verbal taunting; military salute; standing over an opponent (prolonged and with provocation); or dancing.”
At first we thought this was bad news for Patriots tight end and celebrator extraordinaire
However, the NFL has reminded the media of the "directly at an opponent" part of the rule. Deadspin also learned from the NFL that the crackdown on celebrating will only apply on non-scoring plays. The NFL is trying to prevent incidents that slow the rate of play. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the average number of plays per game have increased every year over the past five seasons, up to 128.4 last year. With more rookies coming into the league as products of no-huddle, Oregon-style offenses, the move makes sense.
So after a flirtation with peril, it seems the