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Cincy

3/28/06

Chad: Rules can't stop me

Committee recommends crackdown on TD celebrations

BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

<!--ARTICLE BODY TEXT-->ORLANDO, Fla. - The chairmen of the NFL's rules committee, otherwise known as the competition committee, said Monday the league will enforce rules that limit end-zone celebrations.

"We feel the individual celebration is on the verge of getting out of hand," Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said in a briefing on changes the committee will propose to ownership during the annual meeting.

The point of emphasis, Fisher said, "Would prohibit going to the ground to celebrate; forbid using the ball as a prop or anything else. You can still spike, dunk (or) spin the football."

The penalty would be 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff.

A vote on the recommendations by the 32 owners is expected Wednesday.

Hello, Chad Johnson.

"I went on the ground once and used a prop once," Johnson told The Enquirer on Monday night.

Asked if he would be limited, he said, "Of course you cannot stop someone as creative as me. How can this bother someone as creative as me?"

Johnson did pushups in the end zone at Chicago's Soldier Field after a 40-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer.

Johnson grabbed the pylon and putted the football - a la Tiger Woods, replete with first pump - following a 54-yard touchdown reception from Palmer against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium.

Prolonged celebrations also would draw a flag.

"At some point there has to be a line," said the committee's co-chair, Rich McKay, Falcons general manager.

Johnson's response: "Tell the competition committee that Chad said you can't cover 85, and there's no way you can stop him from entertaining."

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