In the NFL, dancing isn’t just limited to cheerleaders and inebriated fans.
Celebrating in the end zone after scoring a touchdown has become a popular pastime for many NFL players. Such activities tend to garner a great deal of attention—both positive and negative—from fans and sports commentators alike. They are also largely frowned upon by the NFL itself, which has been known to impose penalties, fines, and even suspensions for “excessive celebration.”
YouTube has allowed many of these celebrations to live on in infamy, even after players have long left teams or even the sport itself. In preparation for Super Bowl Sunday, the Daily Dot collected 10 memorable touchdown celebrations worth the 15-yard penalties they likely incurred.
Merton Hanks
San Francisco 49ers
Hanks’ version of the “Chicken Dance” appears less inspired by the popular wedding dance and more inspired by the Loma Prieta earthquake that struck the San Francisco area in 1989.
Asa Jackson
Baltimore Ravens
After his touchdown, Jackson adopted Psy’s popular “Gangnam Style” dance. He was joined by former Raven Chyl Quarles.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson
Houston Oilers
One of the first NFL players to perform excessive end zone celebrations, Johnson displays his “funky chicken” stylings—and white shoes—after scoring a touchdown.
Johnny Morton
Kansas City Chiefs
Many NFL players choose to stay upright when performing their dance moves. Morton, on the other hand, goes all out with his rendition of the Worm.
Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson
Cincinnati Bengals
One of the most flamboyant players of the past decade, Johnson, well-known for loving his Twitter followers, also has an apparent love of the Irish step-dancing troupe Riverdance. Michael Flatley would be proud.
Terrell Owens
Philadelphia Eagles
Renowned NFL “bad boy” and attention whore Terrell Owens celebrates his touchdown with an impromptu performance for spectators and—more importantly—cameras.
Warren Sapp
Tampa Bay Bucs
Sapp’s unique celebration appears to pay homage to Super Bowl XLVII halftime star Beyonce.
Jerome Simpson
Cincinnati Bengals
While a bit premature, Simpson’s celebration nevertheless managed to wow spectators and the defensive line alike. He totally sticked the landing.
Kelley Washington
Cincinnati Bengals
Washington’s signature dance move, the “Squirrel,” exhibits elaborate choreography.
Vernon Davis
San Francisco 49ers
While not the dance-intensive celebration that most players opt for, Davis nevertheless felt the need to mark his accomplishment against the Green Bay Packers by dunking the football between the uprights. Unfortunately, he came up short, resulting in the “Vernon Davis Fail” that made its way around YouTube in September 2012.
Photo via Navin75/Flickr // GIFs via YouTube
