Detroit Lions star running back Jamaal Williams criticized the NFL for not allowing him to express his personality through his celebrations.
Over the years, the NFL has been widely criticized for fining and/or penalizing players for celebrations and taunting (staring down other players, pointing at them, trash talking them, etc.). Hence, the “No Fun League” nickname.
During an appearance on “The 33rd Team” podcast hosted by brothers Amon-Ra (Detroit) and Equanimeous St. Brown (Chicago Bears), Williams called out the league for fining him over his celebrations (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk):
“Now I get fined for this stuff. I just feel like they’re trying to take my personality away, my joy,” Williams said. “Because now, I literally have to stop doing it. So now, when I score, I’m literally just gonna sit down and pout like a little baby or something…
I’m doing nothing wrong. They’re just being weenies. They want to fine me, yet put all that stuff up there, brand it and put me up there and use it. They want to take my money, though.”
Williams isn’t the only player who holds those thoughts. The league has decided to really come down on creative celebrations and anything else they might deem unsportsmanlike. Long gone are the days where stars like Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson took over highlight reels with their super hilarious and unique TD celebrations.
The 27-year-old Williams is coming off the best season of his career, having rushed for 1,066 yards and a league-leading 17 touchdowns. Williams and the Lions finished 9-8, only missing out on the postseason via tiebreaker to the Seattle Seahawks.
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2022 marked the Lions’ first winning season since 2017, and Williams was a key part of that success. The ex-Green Bay Packer is slated to enter free agency after this season, though it obviously wouldn’t be a surprise if the Lions managed to bring him back on a new deal.
