Random subject since I heard them talking about it on Mike & Mike earlier. Lately there's been a lot of talk about fun being removed from the game of football.
I've watched refs literally stare and chase down college players after a TD is scored, just to make sure that the player doesn't celebrate too much. It's ridiculous how these refs stare & follow players around the endzone with the intensity of a security guard following a black guy around a high-end department store.
I get not allowing stuff like the throat slash but banning stuff like Brandin Cook's bow & arrow celebration is silly.
I think part of the problem with baseball losing its appeal with younger viewers is all the silly unwritten rules being forced down our throats by older generations.
My recommendation for the NFL and all sports for that matter, is to allow include a group of individuals from the 35-45 year old range to be the principal rule makers when it comes to any rules addressing taunting and excessive celebrations.
I think that demographic would be better suited to address those types of rules. I think they'd be mature enough to understand what's offensive/excessive, yet young enough to still be in touch with the trends of today's youth. Right now I think a huge part of the disconnect is we have a lot of 50 and older people making rules based on what they deem is appropriate.
I know some are perfectly fine with just watching the game, but a lot of us actually like to see players express their personality. After all, sports is basically an entity of the entertainment industry. So I'd hate to see all the fun legislated out of the games.