By Donnie Niehaus
Things got way out of hand during the Jan. 9 National Football Conference title game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. No, I was not appalled by Randy Moss’ creative touchdown celebration, but rather the way announcer Joe Buck and the rest of the media responded to Moss’ playful humor.
Shortly after Moss, playing with a bum ankle, burnt the Packers’ Al Harris for six, he proceeded to the goalpost and pretended to “drop trou” and “moon” the Packer faithful. This moved incited Fox analyst Joe Buck to go berserk and ridicule professional athletes.
“That is a truly despicable act,” Buck ridiculed. Humorous, yes. Despicable it was not.
The network felt that this was such an inappropriate act that they would not even replay his celebration. What is most incredible is that the media was comparing his celebration to the debacle in the NBA, claiming Moss’ actions were similar to Ron Artest’s.
If Buck had not blown the scenario out of proportion or even called attention to it, no one would even be talking about it. Would the media have had such a field day if it were any other player besides Moss?
How was Moss’ act offensive to anyone? Although many people were bashing Moss, respected coach of the Indianapolis Colts Tony Dungy failed to see what was wrong with a little fun in the end zone.
Not only was Moss bringing a little humor and fun to the game, he was mocking some of the rudest fans in football by mimicking a tradition: whenever an incoming team loses to the Pack, it is customary for the fans to line the parking lot and moon the visiting team’s bus as they head home.
Why can’t Moss join in on the fun and play with the crowd? He did not even commit the actual act! And it’s not like he was performing the highly controversial throat-slash motion that the Packers’ own Brett Favre used to do.
Many people think this type of end zone celebration gives professional athletes a bad name. One of these people is Joe Buck – the same Joe Buck who was featured in the famed Bud Light commercials promoting Leon, the stereotypical overpaid, selfish athlete.
Yes, I understand that Moss is a professional and has to behave in a certain manner. But what’s wrong with a little fun at the office? Why can Frank in Accounting use a cell phone during office hours, yet Joe Horn causes all kinds of controversy when he wants to keep in touch with his family after scoring a touchdown?
Moss is a very smart man (aside from his repeated drug charges and running over parking attendants) and knew exactly what was in store for him once he did his dance. He sees athletes such as Terrell Owens and understands that drawing attention to yourself only helps your stock rise and makes you more attractive to potential buyers.
If Moss’ act drew attention to himself, it was only making his stock rise. Similarly, Buck’s reaction called too much attention to himself and made Moss’ celebration into much more than it really was.
I guess I am just part of the new school, and fail to see what is wrong with promoting yourself in the end zone. In no way, shape or form does an end zone celebration influence the outcome of peoples’ lives.
The NFL is a business and a form of entertainment. Can’t we all just laugh it off and give Moss a break?
Donnie Niehaus is a sophomore pursuing a Marketing major, and is a sports writer for The Louisville Cardinal. E-mail him at: [email protected].
