Was Our 88/Irvin The First NFL Receiver To Signal “First Down” After A Completion?

[TNCowboy]

Irvin was the first I can recall turning it into a regular celebration.

Also, back in the day, when a QB threw a TD or someone ran one in, the QB would just walk or jog off the field, or high 5 the OL if it was a game winner. The 1st QB I recall running down the field like a wild dog to celebrate every time his team scored was Phil Simms. Next thing you know, almost every QB was doing it.

 

[EST_1986]

negative, how'd that he's going to own the hotel work out? lmao...

Oh you know court cases are wrapped up in one 30 minute episode

 

[KJJ]

I think it might have been billy white shoes johnson did it first.

You might be right he did it near the end of this video clip. He was one of the first players to do elaborate celebrations. Elmo Wright was the first to perform a TD celebration.

 

[Captain-Crash]

yeah, we were wondering who ruined the NFL. no difference from watching WWF. smh

 

[Captain-Crash]

I dont think he is.

good

 

[MistyAnn]

I think all the celebration stuff today is quite lame, Irvin looked cool back then though.

 

[Cowboysheelsreds058]

Love the PLAYMAKER!

 

[khiladi]

I think all the celebration stuff today is quite lame, Irvin looked cool back then though.

It all seems contrived now. Back then it went with the flow of the game.

 

[Calvin2Tony2Emmitt2Julius]

Michael and Emmitt could do whatever they want after a play. Don't like celebrations, stop them from making a play

Act like you've been there before ? I am check out the New Dance !!!!!!!

 

[GMO415]

Doubtful Irv was the first.

 

[FVSTONE]

My first memory of him doing it was in a road game against the Giants in 1990ish. And I don’t recall seeing any receiver ever do it before him. Was there someone else and I never saw or remembered it ? It sure is done league wide now. Even non-receivers do it now after picking up a first down. Anyone remember ?

How is Mikie's lawsuit going?

 

[zrinkill]

Jeebus no

 

[RonnieT24]

I've never understood fans having a problem with celebrations. You want guys to get super hyped and do super human ish and then you want them to comport themselves as though they just placed a dollar bill in the offering plate ant church. Sports is fun.. You're play a damn game.. Enjoy yourself.. Celebrate.. alone, with teammates.. whatever. The only thing I have a problem with is taunting in a guy's face. With all that testosterone at work that almost never ends well. Celebrate away from the guy you just beat.. Unless of course the guy has been being a total ****** all game long.. In which case he asked for it.

 

[Motorola]

My first memory of him doing it was in a road game against the Giants in 1990ish. And I don’t recall seeing any receiver ever do it before him. Was there someone else and I never saw or remembered it ? It sure is done league wide now. Even non-receivers do it now after picking up a first down. Anyone remember ?

No.
Recall the original Cowboys Great 88 Drew Pearson did it a few times,
and the "Marks Brothers" - Duper & Clayton - of Dolphins fame a time or two.

 

[MaineBoy]

No.
Recall the original Cowboys Great 88 Drew Pearson did it a few times,
and the "Marks Brothers" - Duper & Clayton - of Dolphins fame a time or two.

I said it was my first memory, not the first time it happened. Man, this board.

 

[Motorola]

I said it was my first memory, not the first time it happened. Man, this board.

You posted as the thread title a question 'Was our 88/Irvin The First Wide Receiver To Signal "First Down" After A Completion?'
My comment was an answer to the question.

 

[MaineBoy]

You posted as the thread title a question 'Was our 88/Irvin The First Wide Receiver To Signal "First Down" After A Completion?'
My comment was an answer to the question.

Okay. Guess I was confused. You had some great info too. Sorry I misunderstood.

 

[Cowboy_svt]

I've never understood fans having a problem with celebrations. You want guys to get super hyped and do super human ish and then you want them to comport themselves as though they just placed a dollar bill in the offering plate ant church. Sports is fun.. You're play a damn game.. Enjoy yourself.. Celebrate.. alone, with teammates.. whatever. The only thing I have a problem with is taunting in a guy's face. With all that testosterone at work that almost never ends well. Celebrate away from the guy you just beat.. Unless of course the guy has been being a total ****** all game long.. In which case he asked for it.

yeah i dont think most played the game, if you made a good play or scored youre overwhelmed and its fun to celebrate.
Some caveats are when youre losing by a fair bit and are celebrating a tackle after they gained 10+ yards.

Maybe unpopular opinion, but i wish there would be more taunting, sparks rivalry and is in a way more fun as long as it doesnt break out into more than that (which is what your point was).

 

[Motorola]

You might be right he did it near the end of this video clip. He was one of the first players to do elaborate celebrations. Elmo Wright was the first to perform a TD celebration.

Elmo Wright --- A blast from the past!
According to Wikipedia, he is the first football player to perform an "endzone dance".