Thou shalt not impersonate Michael Jackson — at least not in the NFL. While it may not be an official commandment, it seems to be an unwritten rule after the league fined New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr $14,000 for incorporating one of Jackson’s iconic dance moves into a touchdown celebration.
During a recent game against the Dallas Cowboys, Carr celebrated a score by channeling his inner King of Pop, including the signature crotch grab that was part of Michael Jackson’s dance repertoire. While the move didn’t draw a flag or a penalty during the game, the league took notice after the fact, slapping Carr with a hefty fine for what they deemed inappropriate conduct.
This isn’t the first time the NFL has taken issue with players mimicking Jackson or engaging in celebratory moves that cross certain lines. The league, which famously embraced Jackson’s presence when he performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 1993, seems to draw the line when his moves are used by players — especially when they involve grabbing the “forbidden zone.”
Celebrations in the NFL have always walked a fine line between entertainment and unsportsmanlike conduct. And the league has a long, documented history of fining players who grab their crotch, with one of the most infamous cases being former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch was repeatedly fined for his touchdown celebrations, where he would dive into the end zone while grabbing his crotch — a move he once humorously referred to as “grabbing his ding-ding.”
Despite his fines, Lynch’s moves became so iconic that the NFL itself featured one of his notorious end zone dives in an NFL Network commercial, creating a paradox where the league both condemned and capitalized on his antics.
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But Derek Carr, of all players, being fined for a celebratory dance is what has many fans and analysts scratching their heads. Known for his clean-cut image and conservative persona, Carr isn’t exactly the kind of player you’d expect to find in hot water over a flashy celebration. His reputation as a “squeaky clean” figure in the NFL makes the fine both amusing and perplexing, leaving many to question whether the league’s enforcement of its rules on celebrations has gone too far.
In some ways, Carr’s fine is emblematic of what critics often call the “No Fun League.” Over the years, the NFL has faced criticism for cracking down on player celebrations and creativity, enforcing strict guidelines on what is deemed acceptable post-touchdown behavior.
While the league has relaxed some of its restrictions in recent years — even allowing group celebrations and choreographed dances — certain moves, like the crotch grab, remain off-limits.
