Wednesday, March 29, 2000
Limits for on-field celebration suggested
Committee recommends keeping replay
The Associated Press
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NFL's competition committee will recommend a ban of planned on-field celebrations by more than one player.
“This gets to the 10 guys who make a circle to do something,” said Minnesota coach Dennis Green, co-chairman of the competition committee. “That is out.”
After viewing tapes of NFL games, then seeing another film showing many of the elaborate celebrations copied in high school games, the committee unanimously voted Tuesday to suggest a series of fines but not yardage penalties. The 31 owners will vote on the recommendation today, when they also will consider whether to retain instant replay.
The proposed rule would not affect taunting, which results in a 15-yard penalty and, often, fines.
Such celebrations as the Packers' Lambeau Leap or the Rams' Bob and Weave will be allowed, provided only one player is doing it.
As for instant replay, the committee voted 6-1 to recommend keeping the system that was installed last year after a seven-year absence. Cincinnati owner Mike Brown dissented.
“There were 110 games where it was never used, and 95 where it was used once,” said Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay, the other co-chairman of the committee. “It wasn't intrusive.”
HALL REUNION: For the first time, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has invited its members to Canton for a reunion, the Hall of Fame and NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue announced Tuesday. It is hoped at least 100 of the 138 living Hall of Famers will return July 28-31.
CARRUTH CASE: Lawyers for former NFL player Rae Carruth and two other defendants asked a judge Tuesday to disqualify the attorney for a fourth defendant in the Cherica Adams murder case.
They said attorney James Exum, who represents defendant Michael Kennedy, could be a trial witness because he shared confidential information with the media following the shooting. Exum denied the allegation, and both attorneys will return to court today.
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