Loosen Up: NFL to allow some flair in celebrations

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 1983, file photo, Washington Redskins get together in the end zone to do their trademark high five to celebrate the first half touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl inPasadena, Calif. Jubilant Redskins include, from left, Rick Walker (88), Charlie Brown (87), Otis Wonsley (39), Virgil Seay (80) and Alvin Garrett (89). The NFL wants to put some flair back into celebrations, allowing players to use the football as a prop, celebrate as a group and roll around on the ground again if they choose. (AP Photo) FILE - In this Jan. 30, 1983, file photo, Washington Redskins get together in the end zone to do their trademark high five to celebrate the first half touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl inPasadena, Calif. Jubilant Redskins include, from left, Rick Walker (88), Charlie Brown (87), Otis Wonsley (39), Virgil Seay (80) and Alvin Garrett (89). The NFL wants to put some flair back into celebrations, allowing players to use the football as a prop, celebrate as a group and roll around on the ground again if they choose. (AP Photo)

By Associated Press May 23, 2017 2 min read

CHICAGO (AP) – The NFL wants to bring back a little bit of Broadway back to an end zone near you next season.

After years of limiting how -and how much – players could celebrate following touchdowns, the league decided to loosen up its rules, allowing players to again use the football as a prop,celebrate as a group and roll around or flap their arms like snow angels on the ground again if they choose.

In an email from Commissioner Roger Goodell sent to fans in an effort to deliver “a more exciting game experience,” the commissioner said the new guidelines came after conversations with more than 80 current and former players.

Asked whether he celebrated the new guidelines approved at Tuesday’s spring meetings, Goodell laughed.

“I did,” he said. “I can’t tell you how.”