Two of the most ridiculous stunts on a football field this season are the celebrations of two defensive players. Both from the NFC North. Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch celebrated a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers last month. He was so exuberant in his celebration that he tore the ACL in his left knee. Some said that he was copying Rodgers "discount double-check." I don't see it. I just see a stupid little dance move pulled out to celebrate making a routine play in a football game. Tulloch did return to the game for a couple of plays in the Lions next defensive series but left the game for good. An MRI confirmed the torn ACL. Chicago Bears defensive end Lamarr Houston did pretty much the same exact celebratory move on Sunday as Tulloch did a month ago. Houston's move didn't look anything like the "discount double check" either. Good thing as Houston sacked New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Houston ruptured the ACL in his right knee.
There is a lot of stupidity surrounding these celebrations. The most significant being that both players are on the shelf for the season for celebrating. Celebrating! They are now in the Bill Gramatica fraternity. No one wants to be there. There's even more stupidity surrounding excessive celebrations. When asked if he had any regrets, Tulloch replied "Hell no. I'd do it again, brother. You do it every time. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. Just a matter of time." Sure. Injuries can happen at any time in football but they don't have to happen during a celebration. Injuries shouldn't happen during a celebration. Just play the game. Houston's celebration was just mind-numbing. He celebrated a sack of the Patriots backup quarterback in the fourth quarter of a game that his team would lose 51-23. His team was getting destroyed yet Houston found it a fine time to celebrate. There is really no reason to celebrate when your team is down by four touchdowns. Ever!
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