Top 5 NFL Touchdown Celebrations, Part I | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Top 5 NFL Touchdown Celebrations, Part I

This first of two Segment Examines the Best Recurring Celebrations of Individual Players

143
Top 5 NFL Touchdown Celebrations, Part I

Touchdown celebrations are part of the game. While you can’t get any extra points for a well-executed dance or a rather high leap into the stands at Lambeau Field, you can be made famous by them. Here we count down the best post-score celebrations that NFL players are known for. Part two features recurring team celebrations.

5. Ball Flip - LaDainian Tomlinson

This five-time Pro Bowler is known for being one of the best running-backs in NFL history. Over 13,000 yards, Tomlinson is the fifth highest all-time leading rusher and holds the single season rushing touchdown record of 28.

After running into the end zone with a touchdown, something he did 145 times in his career, Tomlinson would hold the back of his head with one hand and flip the football out of the hand he was carrying it in. Not very clever maybe, but it is definitely one of the most well-recognized celebrations from the NFL.

4. High Step - Deion Sanders

Despite being a cornerback, the two-time Super Bowl champion and hall of famer had his chances for the end zone. Sanders played 16 seasons in the NFL with five different teams. He made eight Pro Bowls and was named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1994. He intercepted 53 passes, bringing 10 to the house.

Sanders, who ranks 24th all time in picks, would sometimes begin his celebration before his scored the touchdown. He would literally high step by bringing his knees up to his chest while running into the end zone or after getting the six points. Not only did teams fear throwing his way downfield, but were worried they’d get the Sanders high step thrown their way.

3. The Ickey Shuffle - Ickey Woods

This iconic celebration comes from an unfortunate career for Ickey Woods. The all-pro running back played only three season from 1988 to 1991 because of injuries. However, the former all-pro did manage 27 touchdowns in those seasons, ones he took full advantage of.

For those who don’t know, the Ickey Shuffle is difficult to explain. It had an interesting mix of approval and disapproval in the NFL, and the officials eventually forced him to perform it away from the end zone. Woods would shuffle his legs on either side, hop on one leg three times, then spike the ball.

The shuffle was the inspiration for the excessive celebration rule, but has inspired use of it in many forms of pop culture including a Geico commercial in 2014 with an appearance from Woods himself, performing the routine.

2. The Funky Chicken - Billy “White Shoes” Johnson


Billy Johnson, earning his nickname for wearing bright white shoes which were uncommon when he played, 1974-88, had a decent career as a wide receiver but earned his fame as a return specialist. Johnson, a 15th round draft pick, scored eight return touchdowns and ranks 12th all-time in that category.

Along with 25 receiving touchdowns, as a celebration Johnson would bring continually bring his knees together and apart while hanging his arms in the air. This became known as “The Funky Chicken,” and is part of what made Johnson, along with his white shoes, famous in the NFL.

1. Salsa - Victor Cruz

The only active player on this list, and we haven’t seen the salsa since September of 2014. Victor Cruz’s season was done last season by week 6, and a new injury during preseason of this year has taken him for the duration of 2015-16.

In Cruz’s first three seasons as a starter, he caught over 70 passes and earned over 1,000 yards in the first two - he was two yards shy in the third. He has also impressed us with 24 touchdowns and his famous celebration that follows.

Like any solo salsa, Cruz moves his hips and feets in a clearly dancing motion. Cruz is still relatively young in this league, but his touchdown celebration is easily the most known and most beloved for he sheer smoothness when executing it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

3580
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

118087
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

360
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

294
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments