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This Horn Truly Blows
By: Keith Dobkowski, NFL News
As seen across the country on Sunday night, Joe Horn, receiver
for the New Orleans Saints, had a career game scoring 4
touchdowns. After the second touchdown, Horn and a teammate
lifted up the safety cushion that protects players from injury if
there is a collision with the field goal post and removed a cell
phone. Horn then made a phone call to celebrate his
touchdown. Outside of Michael Irvin, who believes that the NFL
stands for "No Fun League" and that players should do whatever
they want for self-promotion, the press has ridiculed Horn’s
stunt. Michael Strahan, on the Best Damn Sports Show Period,
wondered aloud if Horn was trying to get a cell phone
sponsorship deal.
Horn, who knew that it was against NFL rules to bring an illegal
item onto the field of play, ignored the rule and placed other
players at risk for his self-promotion. Further, Horn has placed
his team at risk of missing the playoffs. That's right, self-
promotion was more important that winning. Though the Saints
eventually won the game, Horn was whistled for his antics and
the Saints were assessed a 15-yard penalty. Further, the Saints
are currently 7-7 and only one game out of the playoffs. There
remains the possibility that Horn will be suspended for this
action. Horn, who had made the last three pro-bowls, may now
not be available for one or both of the Saints upcoming games.
The rule that allows the league to suspend Horn for his action is
a direct result of Terrell Owens bringing a Sharpie onto the field
of play. Though Owens was neither fined, nor suspended
directly for the Sharpie incident, the league offices sent out a
letter after the Owens incident warning all teams and players
that anyone who brings an illegal item onto the field of play will
be fined, suspended or both. Owens was later fined $5000 for
his shirt being un-tucked.
This author believes that Horn should be suspended for he
placed other players at risk of injury. Horn intentionally altered,
moved and placed within a safety device an illegal item for no
other reason than his own self-promotion. Luckily no one
collided with the altered pad and therefore no injury occurred.
However, had such an injury occurred, Horn should be held liable
for his actions.
Celebrations are a part of the NFL. When they are natural and
occur under the pure excitement of scoring, the fans get to see
and share in the player’s emotion. However, when the player
needs props and places others at risk, the celebration has gone
too far.
Finally, in an effort to appease the masses, I offer a list the best
and worst celebrations of recent memory.
The Bottom Three:
3. Terrell Owens 50-yard dash to the Dallas Star, twice…
2. Terrell Owens Sharpie.
1. Joe Horn Cell Phone.
The Top Five:
5. Tony Gonzalez Slam Dunk Over the Goal Post.
4. The Spike, a classic, especially when a running back hands
the ball to an offensive lineman for the celebration. Thus
emphasizing the team.
3. Steve Young hit Terrell Owens for a touchdown. Young ran
into the end zone and joined Owens in an unrehearsed dance.
2. The Team high five where multiple people jump up and slap
high fives together, a great show of team spirit.
1. The Lambeau Leap. What better celebration is there than
one that includes the fans.
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