Saturday, January 1, 2011

SALUTE THIS!

A few days have now passed since Kansas State wide receiver Adrian Hilburn gave a salute to fans after what could have been a game-tying touchdown near the end of the game had the Wildcats converted a two-point conversion.  However, the officials saw the salute as “excessive” celebration and called it a player drawing attention to himself.  He was flagged for a 15-yard penalty.  So instead of trying for two points from the three-yard line, the Wildcats had to attempt the conversion from the 18.  They had no chance.  Kansas State lost to Syracuse 36-34 in the Pinstripe Bowl.  Because of the referee's call, my father-in-law ironically noted that this truly was a Pinstripe Bowl in more ways than one.

We all know that football is a game filled with emotion, good and bad, and sometimes things can get a little out of hand.  That emotion rises to a new level in a postseason game because so much more is on the line.  Teams are playing for pride, for their conference, maybe for a departing coach or for a senior’s last game.

There have been strict rules set in place at the high school and college levels governing celebration so as not to show up the other team and ostensibly incite a riot.  Although, I don’t think it would ever come to that.  The underlying reason for this is to teach good sportsmanship so that these players will learn and grow taking that discipline with them through their playing careers.  Who knows, they may be so lucky to make it to the pro level.  But we’ve seen how foolish a lot of these guys can act as a professional.

Since that K-State/Syracuse game, I’ve watched several college bowl games, and I’ve seen actions a whole hell of a lot worse than the salute that probably cost the Wildcats the game.

BRIEF DISCLAIMER: Before I go on, I want to say that I am in no way making any type of political, patriotic or religious statement regarding what happens on the football field.  The rules are the rules, and they should either be enforced or changed to reflect a stricter definition.  Ambiguous language in the rules, such as the word “excessive,” leaves too much gray area for the officials to interpret, and that’s where the problems begin.

Now back to my rant.

So a college football player salutes after a touchdown and is flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.  It wasn’t political.  It wasn’t religious.  It was either patriotic or a gesture toward the fans cheering him in the stands.  I don’t believe he was in any way trying to draw attention to himself.

Now, having said that, how is that any worse than when a player scores a touchdown or makes a great play, he either points to the sky or kneels down in prayer?  Is that not drawing attention to himself?  Is there a difference between a religious act and a patriotic one, and who, if anyone, makes that decision?

Should players be allowed to high five or jump in each other’s arms after a touchdown or big play?  What’s considered excessive or drawing attention to themselves in that situation?

Why are players allowed to incite their fans into a frenzy from the sidelines by waving their arms or towels around?  Isn’t that drawing attention to themselves, or at least the team?

Is there a difference of where the celebrations take place, say the field versus the sidelines, and just where does an official’s jurisdiction end?

Just where do we draw the line on this?

Obviously, there are many questions to be answered here, and there are probably many more to be asked.

I think I have a simple solution to all of this.  Allow for celebration on the sidelines only.

When a player scores a touchdown, he must set the ball down on the ground or hand it to the official and head back to the sideline and do whatever he wants with his teammates there.  Done.  It’s not on the field of play so it doesn’t distract from or interfere with what’s going on out there.  If they want to high five, hug, kiss, Ickey Shuffle, let ‘em.

So what to do after a big play such as a sack, tackle for a loss, pass break up, etc.?  Nothing.  Go back to the huddle and get ready for the next play.  Celebrate when you are back on the sidelines.  Easy.

Some may say this will take away from the excitement of the game, but if the NCAA, or whatever governing body rules on such sportsmanship matters, wants to avoid such controversy as salute-gate, then a stricter policy needs to be enforced.  Look, I have no problem with what Hilburn did.  In fact, I’d like to see some of the stodgy rules in college sports relaxed.  I’d have no problem with seeing spikes after a touchdown, but as long as a group as hypocritical as the NCAA continues to oversee this money-making machine, controversies like this will continue to persist.