The NFL Relaxed Its Celebration Rules In 2017. The Football Became A Legal Prop.

On May 23, 2017, at the league's spring meeting, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the league was relaxing its rules on touchdown celebrations. He had spoken with more than 80 current and former players about it.

What became legal

• 01Using the football as a prop after a touchdown
• 02Celebrating on the ground
• 03Group demonstrations

Players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.

What is still a foul

The announcement kept penalties for celebrations that are offensive, prolonged enough to delay the game, or directed at an opponent. Those lines are written into Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 of the current rulebook.

• 01Using any object as a prop, other than the football after a scoring play or change of possession
• 02Prolonged or excessive celebrations by one player or several
• 03Removing a helmet in the field of play or the end zone during a celebration
• 04Baiting or taunting acts or words
• 05Violent gestures such as a throat slash or simulating a gun, or sexually suggestive acts

The penalty

Each is unsportsmanlike conduct: a loss of 15 yards, and an automatic first down if the foul is by the defense. If the act is flagrant and an official sees the entire action, the player is also disqualified.