Boston Mayor Thomas Menino Blasts MIAA As 'Frustrated Athletes' For Celebration Rule That Cost Team Super Bowl

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino Blasts MIAA As ‘Frustrated Athletes’ For Celebration Rule That Cost Team Super Bowl

by Ben Watanabe on Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 12:53PM

It's difficult to find anyone who thinks the MIAA's rule against celebrating is a good one after Cathedral High School lost its Super Bowl on such a penalty on Saturday.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino joined the chorus Wednesday in a visit to the school, according to a Boston Herald report.

"I think sometimes these rules are written by frustrated athletes," Menino was quoted as saying. "They never participated in a sport, and they don't know what it is to be excited. You play in a football game, you run for a touchdown, and you do something special."

In the fourth quarter of Saturday's Division 4A championship against Blue Hills Regional, Cathedral quarterback Matthew Owens briefly raised his arm as he dashed for a touchdown.

Owens was flagged, the touchdown was nullified and Cathedral lost, 16-14.

"This kid was 18 years old, his birthday, running for the Super Bowl championship," Menino said. "You wouldn't be a human being if you didn't show some expression."

Check out Menino at Cathedral in the video below.