Celebrations Gone Too Far

2:46 seconds into the third period of a tied game 6 elimination game, Alexander Ovechkin, possibly the best natural goal scorer in the NHL in the last 15 years, finds a break in the defense, gets a perfect breakaway pass from Viktor Kozlov and leaves a helpless Martin Biron literally on his heals. It is the first of two goals Ovechkin will score in a winning effort, forcing the first Washington Capitals Game 7 since 1992.

This column is not about Ovechkin and how undeniably breathtaking all 68 of his goals were this season (including 13 game winners). It is about what he does as soon as the red-light flashes and the fans go crazy. Ovechkin, only 22, acts a little too much his age, enthusiastically giving fist pumps in celebration as if the goal’s importance is on par with Bobby Orr’s Stanley Cup winner. It pumps up his team while simultaneously making his opponents blood boil.

In professional sports, everyone celebrates after a meaningful goal, basket, homerun, save, block, hit, or touchdown, but when does it become too much?

Boston Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew represents the exact opposite side of the spectrum and for some strange reason, his mannerisms seem to annoy just as many people as Ovechkin’s. Drew has been accused by many over his injury plagued and controversy filled career, of not playing baseball with enough emotion. Never cursing at himself when swinging at an un-hittable curveball with two strikes against him. Never slapping himself upside the head after bobbling a line drive hit to right. He almost looks like he does not care when he steps into the batters box. The same, solemn look shows on his face after a ground out or a home-run.

So what is the happy medium between angering your opponents and pleasing your hometown fans?

In football, touchdown celebrations should be allowed, but only in cases where they are to take the lead or tie a ball game. If Chad Johnson wants to celebrate a big 4^th

quarter touchdown after bringing his team (whoever they may be) back in the game, then let him do whatever he wants. It’s entertaining.

Baseball is a game of highlights. Classy players who are Baseball Tonight regulars will usually make great plays and act like they’ve been there before. A walk-off home run or a game saving defensive play (similar to the one made by Jimmy Rollins’s backup on Sunday night against the Mets) is always acceptable for celebration.

Hockey and Soccer, two low scoring, unpopular American sports give players the right to rejoice after a goal, but players (like Ovechkin) need to put them in context. In a meaningless regular season game with a four goal lead, there is no need for a fist pumping spectacle. Another good example is college basketball player of the year, Tyler Hansbrough. I spent the entire season watching him pump his fists and kick his legs like a rockette dancer, usually in a situation where North Carolina had a double digit lead. It’s annoying and if I were a player on the other team, it wouldn’t make me too happy.

The bottom line here is that it’s ok to be an intense player. It gets your fans energized and sets an example for your teammates (nobody defines this person better than Kevin Garnett). Celebrating an individual achievement like a three-pointer or a goal should not be regularly followed by a personal parade, unless your name’s Tim Duncan.