U.S. f-ball needs to lighten up

[lmanchur.]

...and you wonder why I don't watch college football.............


I tuned into ABC's telecast of the West Virginia University vs. Boston College game today to see what the hoopla is over this "college football thing," and with the game tied 10-10 with about 3:33 remaining in the 2nd quarter, B.C. scores a touchdown... or do they?

There's a penalty on the play, so the touchdown is called back, which is OK, but before the player who caught the TD realized there was a flag on the play, he got excited about the score -- he caught the pass in the endzone, the whistle went, he dropped the ball, he ran to the back of the endzone, took one leap, and gave two high-5's -- one with each hand -- to a fan that was leaning over the rail. Now, not only does B.C. get the original penalty, but they get one for "unsportsmanlike conduct" for the guy giving the fan a "high 10," as the announcers called it... the result is that B.C. is at a 3rd & goal situation on their 46 yard line.

I mean, NCAA and NFL have to lighten up a bit!!.... that's just ridiculous.... I watched B.C. punt the ball on their fourth down and decided to stop watching the game.

Change of heart -- it's not ridiculous.... it's pathetic, to tell you the truth.

Why are these rules in place???... imagine Sammy Sosa not being able to do his "kiss thing" after a home run or Jaromir Jagr not being able to give his "salute" after he scores a goal... the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL even have PRE-REHEARSED dances they do after scoring a touchdown!!!.... NCAA f-ball and the NFL make me mad.

[Marc]

So you're judging the entire state of American football from one odd and rare happening? I mean come on, if there's a bad play in the NHL, is it right to go judging the entire league and saying the refs are destroying the league with bad calls?

[lmanchur.]

It's not the official's fault -- he's implementing what he's suspose to implement!!... It's whoever makes the rule book!!!

I just think it's sick how the athletes can't interact with the fans, and give the fans what they want to see after they score a touchdown!.... I'm just ranting about that rule, and the one time I actually try to watch college football, I see a penalty being offered to a team for the most stupidest rule in the book!!!...

Anyways, it turned me off of US College Football for the day... maybe another day when I gain the energy to watch it, I will, but.... arg... that rule just makes me mad... can anyone tell me the point of it? Thanks.

[Marc]

Originally posted by SC-Lee
I just think it's sick how the athletes can't interact with the fans, and give the fans what they want to see after they score a touchdown!....
How many games have you watched? Better yet, how many have you been to? I've been to my fair share of major college football games and I've watch a lot, too.

I don't think it's smart to base any entire league on one play in one game. Of course fans are allowed to interact with the players, just as much in other sports.

[Sean]

Lee, I understand your frustration over that incident, since it was one of your first college football games, but after watching who knows how many games, I think the NCAA's celebration rule is good.

First off, that rule only applies in college. So the NFL shouldn't be included in your gripes. Second off, its really just designed for better sportsmanship. Weren't you the one on the Danny Almonte thing griping that it was becoming too competitive, and therefore corrupt?

In college, the bands really provide the celebration for a touchdown. A score erupts the crowd. It is a game that has tremendous emotion whether it is a 2nd and 5 or a 4th and inches.

I think thats why everyone, including myself, finds college football incredibly exciting to watch. There is so much emotion---WITHOUT excessive celebrations.

The one thign I would say is that with the celebration and holding call, one of those calls should probably be nullified. I believe celebration is a 15 yard penalty, holding 10, which would be 25 yards for that play, which should only be a 15 yard penalty at most.

[lmanchur.]

Marc, obviously, with no U.S. college sport teams near me, I have never been to a game. :rolleyes:


Originally posted by Sean
First off, that rule only applies in college. So the NFL shouldn't be included in your gripes. Second off, its really just designed for better sportsmanship. Weren't you the one on the Danny Almonte thing griping that it was becoming too competitive, and therefore corrupt?

I think thats why everyone, including myself, finds college football incredibly exciting to watch. There is so much emotion---WITHOUT excessive celebrations. ...well, the NFL passed a rule last year or something that prohibited pre-rehearsed celebrations.

...and about Danny Almonte.... that was for KID sports -- like, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, year-olds... that kinda stuff.... not college sports....... and I don't think that giving a fan two high-fives at once is an "excessive celebration." ....I just don't understand why the rule is in place......

[Marc]

Originally posted by SC-Lee
Marc, obviously, with no U.S. college sport teams near me, I have never been to a game. :rolleyes:
Then you shouldn't be judging American football if you haven't watched or been to any games. I'm just saying you should give it a fair chance before rushing to judgement.