Apparently the XFL plays by different rules than the NFL, or the rules have changed, or something. When Leon Lett did the same thing in the Super Bowl 30 years ago, it was a touchback.
It is a touchback in the NFL. Item 4, paragraph 1.
Item 4. Out of Bounds in End Zone. When a fumble goes out of bounds in the end zone, the following shall apply:
1) If a ball is fumbled in the field of play, and goes forward into the opponent’s end zone and over the end line or sideline, a touchback is awarded to the defensive team; or
2) If a ball is fumbled in a team’s own end zone or in the field of play and goes out of bounds in the end zone, it is a safety, if that team provided the impetus that sent the ball into the end zone (See 11-5-1 for exception for momentum). If the impetus was provided by the opponent, it is a touchback.
In the XFL, if the ball leaves the field (even by the end zone) it goes back to the last one who had possession. I’m in Seattle, this has been playing with relative frequency on local sports channels. Oh, and BTW, the Vipers scored in the next play after getting the ball back. Does not make the early grandstanding any less stupid.
NBA not immune. Witness Dillon Brooks calling LeBron “old” the. Getting torched by LeBron on both ends of the court the next night. MLB at an entirely different level, witness this headline: “Red Sox manager Alex Cora bragged about 2017 Astros cheating scandal, according to new book, ‘Winning Fixes Everything”.
I trace a lot of the showboating and excessive celebration to the rise of ESPN and its focus on this stuff. When it started, the channel had a lot of time to fill, and showing athletes celebrating was an easy way of making content, as well as giving the channel access to players who were showcased. ESPN reporters could always get an interview with a player that they featured on PrimeTime or on the play of the day. Add to that the allure to the individual player of being on a national sports platform, and we were off to the races. Once the agents and their clients figured out that players could establish a type of brand with their celebration displays, things got excessive in a hurry. Those brands translated directly into jersey, shoe, and hat sales and players watched their peers like Jordan and Sanders capitalize on individual marketing bonanzas that were not controlled initially by the union contracts with the leagues. Players being players, the celebrations soon took on a life of their own, choreographed and rehearsed, and taking the focus off the game. So the leagues, and especially the NFL, put caps in place to tone it down. But you still see the elements of the problem (I consider it a problem) in the type of display here. The game becomes secondary to making that personal statement. With predictable results.
Ethics Alarms 
It even happens in the NFL.
It is stupid.
You get the job done; then, you celebrate (and I think most celebrations are pretty stupid).
-Jut
Apparently the XFL plays by different rules than the NFL, or the rules have changed, or something. When Leon Lett did the same thing in the Super Bowl 30 years ago, it was a touchback.
It is a touchback in the NFL. Item 4, paragraph 1.
Item 4. Out of Bounds in End Zone. When a fumble goes out of bounds in the end zone, the following shall apply:
1) If a ball is fumbled in the field of play, and goes forward into the opponent’s end zone and over the end line or sideline, a touchback is awarded to the defensive team; or
2) If a ball is fumbled in a team’s own end zone or in the field of play and goes out of bounds in the end zone, it is a safety, if that team provided the impetus that sent the ball into the end zone (See 11-5-1 for exception for momentum). If the impetus was provided by the opponent, it is a touchback.
In the XFL, if the ball leaves the field (even by the end zone) it goes back to the last one who had possession. I’m in Seattle, this has been playing with relative frequency on local sports channels. Oh, and BTW, the Vipers scored in the next play after getting the ball back. Does not make the early grandstanding any less stupid.
Does not make the early grandstanding any less stupid.
Bingo. Everything else is moral luck.
NBA not immune. Witness Dillon Brooks calling LeBron “old” the. Getting torched by LeBron on both ends of the court the next night. MLB at an entirely different level, witness this headline: “Red Sox manager Alex Cora bragged about 2017 Astros cheating scandal, according to new book, ‘Winning Fixes Everything”.
I trace a lot of the showboating and excessive celebration to the rise of ESPN and its focus on this stuff. When it started, the channel had a lot of time to fill, and showing athletes celebrating was an easy way of making content, as well as giving the channel access to players who were showcased. ESPN reporters could always get an interview with a player that they featured on PrimeTime or on the play of the day. Add to that the allure to the individual player of being on a national sports platform, and we were off to the races. Once the agents and their clients figured out that players could establish a type of brand with their celebration displays, things got excessive in a hurry. Those brands translated directly into jersey, shoe, and hat sales and players watched their peers like Jordan and Sanders capitalize on individual marketing bonanzas that were not controlled initially by the union contracts with the leagues. Players being players, the celebrations soon took on a life of their own, choreographed and rehearsed, and taking the focus off the game. So the leagues, and especially the NFL, put caps in place to tone it down. But you still see the elements of the problem (I consider it a problem) in the type of display here. The game becomes secondary to making that personal statement. With predictable results.
I attribute it to diversity in sports demeanor.
Which coach told his team not to celebrate? Didn’t he say, “Act like you belong there?”
jvb
“Act Like You’ve Been There (the end zone) Before.” Mike Ditka
Thanks. I figured I had it wrong. Ditka was a great coach.
jvb