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Phillips takes aim at NFL's crackdown on fun
September 9, 2008 8:00 AM
Icon SMI Terrell Owens' celebration on Sunday drew a 15-yard penalty.
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Wade Phillips didn't have a problem with Terrell Owens' 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for impersonating Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt following a touchdown Sunday because the Cowboys head coach wasn't completely up to date on the league rules. He also agrees with T.O. that the league takes itself too seriously.
"It's my fault for not knowing that there was another hidden rule here somewhere," Phillips said. "I'm a little like he is. I don't know why they won't let you have fun. He wasn't making fun of anybody. It wasn't an outlandish display of taunting the other team."
If the league had a sense of humor, it would send a new copy of the rulebook to Phillips. But let me ask a serious question while we're on the topic: If T.O. had taken off running and then jumped over imaginary hurdles all the way to the sideline, would that have been a penalty? What if he speed-walked the ball back to the official? Under the letter of the law, those acts are permissible and somewhat embarrassing.
One of the interesting things college football has done is create an environment in which officials aren't faced with distractions, such as common sense and restraint. And if you watched the end of the Washington-BYU game, you know what I'm talking about.
I like the fact that the NFL waits to enforce the penalty on the ensuing kickoff. But the NCAA would never go for something that makes that much sense.
OK, I'll be away from the blog for much of the morning because Jerry Jones is giving the NFC East blog and "Monday Night Football" a tour of his new $1.2 billion stadium. I'm told it's one of the most understated 3 million square-foot structures in the world.
And I'm going to take you guys on a tour soon. The blog will resume normal activities at about 2 p.m. ET. Thanks for your patience during these trying times.
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys, Terrell Owens, Wade Phillips
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September 9, 2008 8:00 AM
Icon SMI Terrell Owens' celebration on Sunday drew a 15-yard penalty.
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Wade Phillips didn't have a problem with Terrell Owens' 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for impersonating Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt following a touchdown Sunday because the Cowboys head coach wasn't completely up to date on the league rules. He also agrees with T.O. that the league takes itself too seriously.
"It's my fault for not knowing that there was another hidden rule here somewhere," Phillips said. "I'm a little like he is. I don't know why they won't let you have fun. He wasn't making fun of anybody. It wasn't an outlandish display of taunting the other team."
If the league had a sense of humor, it would send a new copy of the rulebook to Phillips. But let me ask a serious question while we're on the topic: If T.O. had taken off running and then jumped over imaginary hurdles all the way to the sideline, would that have been a penalty? What if he speed-walked the ball back to the official? Under the letter of the law, those acts are permissible and somewhat embarrassing.
One of the interesting things college football has done is create an environment in which officials aren't faced with distractions, such as common sense and restraint. And if you watched the end of the Washington-BYU game, you know what I'm talking about.
I like the fact that the NFL waits to enforce the penalty on the ensuing kickoff. But the NCAA would never go for something that makes that much sense.
OK, I'll be away from the blog for much of the morning because Jerry Jones is giving the NFC East blog and "Monday Night Football" a tour of his new $1.2 billion stadium. I'm told it's one of the most understated 3 million square-foot structures in the world.
And I'm going to take you guys on a tour soon. The blog will resume normal activities at about 2 p.m. ET. Thanks for your patience during these trying times.
Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys, Terrell Owens, Wade Phillips
Read comments or leave a comment
