Comments on: Pro Football: Why doesn’t the Lambeau Leap qualify as excessive celebration?

By: JoeHoodoo

JoeHoodoo — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:11:02 +0000

I believe the rationale for why the leap is allowed is that it technically happens outside the field of play.

By: Gord

Gord — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:48:20 +0000

The grandfathering of the leap is pure bulls—. Mark Gastineau’s sack dance came long before they started cracking down on excessive celebration, yet he was barred fro doing it without penalty

By: Winifred

Winifred — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:30:51 +0000

The answer to both questions is specific rules.

I got the text for this rule from Ask Vic on packers.com, but I’m pretty sure he’s quoting the rule book.

On why and when players can spike the ball:

Rule 8, Section 2, Article 1, Item 3: Stopping the clock—A player under center is permitted to stop the game clock legally to save time if, immediately upon receiving the snap, he begins a continuous throwing motion and throws the ball directly into the ground. Item 4: Delayed Spike—A passer, after delaying his passing action for strategic purposes, is prohibited from throwing the ball to the ground in front of him, even though he is under no pressure from defensive rushers.

As for the Lambeau Leap, it’s grandfathered. There is a specific rule (couldn’t find the text, sorry), and it says that says one player can jump into the stands in celebration, but not two. I assume it’s grandfathered because fans like it, so it’s perceived as good for the League.

By: nobama4me

nobama4me — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:01:59 +0000

Hanie did not intend to spike to stop clock, where as Zebra states by rule, must be done straight away. He was trying to run a play, and when none developed, spiked the ball.

I do think the Lamblow Leap should be banned. I would spit in the payer’s eye if sitting close and he jumped up! I paid to sit there. I don’t need some idiot occupying my space.

By: Zebra Blog

Zebra Blog — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:24:51 +0000

Two answers. First is clear-cut, the second is a little nebulous.

The clock-stopping spike must be done immediately upon the snap. I cited the rule in a post I wrote on the topic, which you can find here: http://www.footballzebras.com/2011/11/27/2223

The second answer is that the Lambeau Leap and similar player-fan exchanges were grandfathered in. As with the celebrations on the turf itself, a second player cannot become part of any choreography. A double leap into the stands was actually penalized last year: http://www.footballzebras.com/2010/12/26/1422

There are other restrictions on celebrations, which are detailed in memos to the players, coaches, and officials during the preseason.