Congratulations, Vernon Davis. Shoot all the jumpers you want next season, penalty-free. No, you will not get your $12,000 back.
In response to near-universal complaints over the league’s celebration penalties, including the one issued to Washington tight end Davis last fall for shooting the ball like a basketball following his second touchdown of the season, the NFL relaxed its unsportsmanlike conduct rules governing celebrations Tuesday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter to fans laying out the changes. Goodell explicitly outlined three actions — using the ball as a prop, celebrating on the ground (think snow angels in Green Bay) and celebrating as a group — that will no longer be considered penalty-worthy offenses.