NFL’s Most Controversial Celebrations That Got Banned
Touchdown dances and end-zone stunts excite football fans. However, the league—often dubbed the “No Fun League”—has frequently cracked down on celebrations for several reasons. In this article, we look at some forbidden celebrations per NFL rules.
Finger Gun
Credit: Youtube
Once a playful touchdown tradition, pointing a finger like a gun got people talking, and the NFL fined players for the move. Despite claiming camaraderie, Allen Lazard and Drake London faced $14K penalties for the move. However, critics cried hypocrisy when similar gestures by stars like CeeDee Lamb escaped punishment.
Bow-and-Arrow Moves
Credit: Reddit
Unleashing an imaginary arrow after a big play might seem harmless, but the NFL doesn’t see it that way. Players like Bengals’ Andrei Iosivas and Eagles rookie Jalyx Hunt lost over $5K each for the move. But Travis Kelce, whose pregame bow-and-arrow antics became a Taylor Swift stage staple, dodged fines entirely.
Throat-Slash Gesture
Credit: Youtube
In 1999, a finger flick across the neck became an NFL taboo. Players like Brett Favre and Keyshawn Johnson weaponized it to taunt opponents and their fans. Interestingly, while players have been fined for the move, the league once licensed the “NFL Fever 2000” game, which ironically featured the celebration.
Dunking Through Goalposts
Credit: Reddit
Dunking the football over the goalpost was a fan-favorite celebration popularized by legends like Tony Gonzalez. However, in 2014, the NFL banned this move after Jimmy Graham’s slam bent the crossbar and caused game delays. Despite the ban, Travis Kelce paid tribute to Gonzalez with the celebration in 2020 and earned a $12.5K fine.
Cell Phone Prop Celebrations
Credit: X
Whipping out a cell phone during a touchdown celebration might seem like a fun nod to fans, but the NFL isn’t amused. In 2003, Joe Horn’s hidden phone stunt led the league to ban prop use in celebrations. Fifteen years later, Michael Thomas mimicked the act and got slapped with a hefty $30,000 fine.
Sharpie Autographs
Credit: X
Terrell Owens’ flamboyant touchdown celebration in 2002 is another unforgettable part of his legacy. After scoring against the Seahawks, he whipped out a Sharpie hidden in his sock, autographed the ball, and handed it to a fan. This move led the NFL to ban players from carrying foreign objects during games. Owens’ Sharpie later auctioned for over $3,600.
Military Salutes
Credit: Facebook
According to Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, even a salute can draw a 15-yard penalty if directed at an opponent. One exception is the ‘Mile High Salute’—a Denver Broncos team-centric ritual from the late 1990s. Broncos players like Terrell Davis and Rod Smith popularized the salute, meaning they wouldn’t get fined for pulling one off.
Mooning the Crowd
Credit: Reddit
Randy Moss scored a 34-yard TD in a 2005 game at Lambeau Field and mimed mooning the Green Bay crowd—a cheeky response to fans’ taunts. The NFL fined him $10,000—double the standard first-offense penalty—citing his history of unsportsmanlike antics. While critics argued the league’s outrage was selective, it emphasized its stance on disrespect.
Twerking
Credit: Reddit
When Antonio Brown busted out his end-zone twerk, everyone got a laugh, except for the NFL. Despite relaxing celebration rules in 2017, the league kept a tight lid on “sexually suggestive” moves like twerking. So, while snow angels and group dances are in, shaking your moneymaker will still cost you.
Stomping on Team Logos
Credit: Youtube
Few acts ignite rivalry fury like a stomp on team logos—a gesture Terrell Owens weaponized in 2000 against the Cowboys. It triggered a brawl and a retaliatory hit, and The NFL later went on to ban it. In 2018, the Dallas Cowboys star was at the receiving end again as Tennessee Titans’ Kevin Byard stomped on it and bagged a $10,026 fine.
Urinating Dog Celebration
Credit: Facebook
In 2017, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. caused controversy with a touchdown celebration where he mimicked a urinating dog, drawing a 15-yard penalty and a $12,154 fine. In 2019, wide receiver Elijah Moore replicated the gesture during the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. Ironically, both players lost their respective games.
Spinning the Ball Aggressively
Credit: Youtube
Spinning the ball aggressively during NFL celebrations can result in penalties if officials interpret the act as taunting or unsportsmanlike. For example, Josh Allen got a 15-yard penalty for pulling the move after a touchdown against the Chargers. Since 2013, referees have warned players that celebrations could be penalized if deemed taunting.
Crotch Grab
Credit: X
In the NFL, players performing crotch grab celebrations can face fines for unsportsmanlike conduct. In 2024, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was fined $19,697 for the gesture during a touchdown celebration. Even New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr received a $14,000 fine that year after emulating Michael Jackson’s signature crotch grab.
Personal Shirt Slogans
Credit: Facebook
Since 2014, NFL players have been prohibited from displaying personal messages on their uniforms, shirts worn under jerseys, or equipment without league approval. In 2024, San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa was fined $11,255 for wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat during a postgame interview.