Ranking the Top 10 NFL Celebrations of All Time
On Tuesday, May 23, 2017, a day that will go down in the hearts of countless NFL fans, the league changed its celebration rules, allowing for group demonstrations, celebrating on the ground (snow angels), and using the ball as a prop. That being said, the rules are still more strict than in the days of T.O. and Chad Johnson, but we should be seeing more creativity around the NFL this season in terms of celebrations. Without further ado, here are the top 10 NFL celebrations ever.
10) Victor Cruz’s Salsa Dance
Though Cruz is no longer with the Giants, his salsa dances were something to look forward to in most every Giants game from 2010, when he entered the league as an UDFA, to 2016, when the G-men cut Victor after the season. Now that Victor Cruz is in Chicago, expect some salsa in some deep-dish pizzas pretty soon.
9) John Brown’s “Dance”
I included John Brown’s celebration in this list because of its uniqueness. I can say with confidence that I’ve never seen anything like this before or since. Now, Brown’s had some more noteworthy dances after this one, but in terms of “what is he doing”, this celebration cannot be topped.
8) The Lambeau Leap
Now, the Lambeau Leap is a collection of celebrations, rather than just one player, but it’s still one of the best in the NFL today. The tradition, which started in December of 1993 by LeRoy Butler, has been a common sight in Lambeau Field after every Packers touchdown since that cold day in ‘93.
7) Golden Tate Celebrates With Lions Cheerleaders
Call it recency bias, but Golden Tate’s touchdown celebration in 2016 when he took a cheerleader’s pom-poms and danced with the rest of the group is a “spur of the moment” celebrations, but boy was it interesting.
6) Jimmy Graham’s Goalpost Dunks
Like #8, Jimmy Graham’s goalpost dunks are more of a collection of celebrations rather than a single celebration, but are still iconic. What makes this celebration special is the fact that the NFL banned all players from dunking on the goalposts after Graham’s celebration against the Falcons in a Thursday Night game in 2013.
5) Antonio Brown’s Twerk
In the 3rd quarter of the Steelers’ season opener vs. the Washington Redskins, Antonio Brown caught Ben Roethlisberger’s pass for a touchdown, then proceeded to twerk (awkwardly) and receive a ~$10,000 fine from the league. Brown is no stranger to unique celebrations, as in 2015, following a punt return for a touchdown, the receiver wrapped his body around the goalpost.
4) Lance Moore’s Hingle McCringleBerry Celebration
Hingle McCringleBerry would be proud. Amazingly, Lance Moore was able to sneak by with three pumps, something that players since him have yet to do. Players that have tried to upstage Lance include Von Miller, Antonio Brown, and even Commissioner Goodell, who got in on the fun.
3) Marshawn Lynch and his Golf Cart
Marshawn Lynch has always been a guy with a fun personality. This was evident especially after a 2006 Cal vs. Washington game that went into overtime. Well, the Golden Bears won, and so did we, because we saw Lynch take a joyride in an injury cart, and Cal even made bobbleheads for the event’s 10th anniversary.
2) Terrell Owens Signs the Ball
For some, it might’ve been just another Monday night in the middle of October, but for NFL fans, it was that night that T.O. actually pulled out a Sharpie and signed the ball right after scoring a touchdown vs. the Seattle Seahawks. While Terrell Owens might not be in the NFL anymore, his celebrations are remembered, even if not replicated, to this day.
- Terrell Owens Claims the Cowboys’ Star
On September 24, 2000, T.O. claimed, then lost, reclaimed, then got laid out by George Teague on the star logo in the middle of Cowboys Stadium. The celebration started out harmlessly enough, with Owens getting a TD catch, running to the 50, and holding out his arms. Emmitt Smith didn’t take too kindly to that, however, and “retook” the star after rushing for a touchdown later in the game. Finally, Terrell Owens caught another touchdown, ran to the star, and was immediately hit by George Teague, a cornerback for the Cowboys at the time, who, like Smith, was not pleased with T.O’s antics. After Teague slammed into Owens, the refs came in and stopped both teams from the act, but the moment still lives on in NFL lore as the greatest celebration to this date.
