NCAA Proposes Rule Change to Take Away Touchdowns for Taunting

Taunting, trash talk and excessive celebrations could start costing NCAA football teams six points.

According to The Associated Press, the NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposed a new penalty that takes away a player’s touchdown if he celebrates on his way to the end zone. The player would be penalized at the spot of the celebration, thus negating the score. 

The Player Rules Oversight Panel has the responsibility of approving the rule, which could go into effect in 2011.

“Taunting and prolonged individual acts have no place in our game, and our officials have generally handled these rules well,” former Oregon coach Mike Belotti, the committee chair, told the AP. “This is just another step in maintaining our game’s image and reflecting the ideals of the NCAA overall.”

According to the NCAA, the proposal has received almost unanimous support.