Forget March Madness, move on to Fall Football
Katie Johnson
sports editor

   Last week, I promised a discussion of the NCAA tournament as any true sports writer would.
   This week, I realize I am not a true sports writer.
   Copy deadline for The Collegian is almost a full week before the paper hits the stands unlike deadlines for daily newspapers.
   That said, it is hard to make predictions, observations and pretty much anything else where there are exactly eight games scheduled after my article is due.
   Therefore, this article will lack any and all mention of possible champions perchance they lose before the ink has even had a chance to dry on my predictions.
   We are left with other sports then; the most interesting this week has been football.
   The NFL, known for its policies, has recommended a new one—one that will most likely be approved by the team owners during this week’s annual spring meeting.
   The decision? Winning is not all it’s cracked up to be. Celebra-tions should not be held; excitement should not be shown.
   For many years, athletes have faced consequences for “celebrating” after a touchdown. Last year, fines were introduced. The concept was not bad, but these men are millionaires. Fines are merely pocket change.
   This year, the NFL has proposed a 15-yard penalty in place of the fine.
   According to the NFL, statistics have shown penalties are more effective than fines. But is effectiveness the point?
   Really, we should be considering why the NFL bans this display of emotion. We all love to win; the joy of victory is completely different from any other feeling.
   The NFL especially frowns on premeditated displays of celebration. Having a pen ready to sign a football could incur a penalty. Is it the optimism the NFL hates, the planning ahead or just simply the players showing off?
   Regardless, showing off is what these men are paid to do.
   Players do not earn millions of dollars simply to sit on the sidelines; they need to make plays and score points all in the effort to help the team win.
   If we want these players to stop “showing off” or “celebrating,” they will have to stop scoring touchdowns.
   Another policy the NFL is presenting to owners is making instant replay permanent.
   Last time this policy was before the owners, they agreed to a three-year policy, not making it permanent, but ensuring it will stay around.
   This time, there is little doubt instant replay will be made permanent.
   In other football news, the NFL draft is quickly approaching (April 24-25).
   Maurice Clarett, the Ohio State player the NFL attempted to deny admission into the draft, is currently listed as a second-round draft pick for the Cowboys.
   If he is drafted, he will be the first NFL player to not be three years removed from high school.
   Ideally, the Cowboys will draft him and give us a front row seat for history unfolding; we need a new star for the Cowboys.
   And in MLB news, opening day was yesterday in Japan. Fred McGriff has been sent down to Tampa Bay’s minor leagues only nine home runs shy of 500 career home runs.
   More news will be quickly developing in these two sports over the next month; till then, enjoy the remainder of the NCAA tournament.