What is Going on with the No Fun League (NFL)?

Over the years the National Football League has tried to convince fans that honestly that is what NFL stands for. Many fans like myself really aren't sure of that though and feel that the NFL actually stands for the "No Fun League". At the league meetings this year they made another decision that further indicates our opinions might not be that far off base. The league has instituted a new rule that states if a player spikes the ball on a non-scoring play then their team will be penalized five yards for that infraction. Spiking the ball in the end zone after a touchdown is still permitted.....at least for now until the "No Fun League" rears it's ugly head again.

Do you remember back in the 80's, when Mark Gastineau did his "sack dance", well of course that is now something that the referees are now allowed to throw a flag on at their own discretion. Remember the "Fun Bunch" that the Redskins had in the 80's and early 90's? Well once again that group would be penalized if they were playing today, it would be referred to as an "organized celebration. This is the rule that allows referees to punish players such as Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, and others for their celebrations. Yes, there are some celebrations that are out of hand, like Owens imitation of Ray Lewis' pre-game dance after scoring a touchdown, or Owens spiking the football on the star of the Cowboys when he played for the 49'ers (amazing the state of Texas didn't revolt when he signed with the Cowboys wasn't it?), but most of the celebrations are rather innocent. You've had players pretending to make a cell phone call after a score, pretending to be a cheerleader, and pretending to make a golf putt. These are all entertaining but likely to draw a penalty.