Some NFL fans understandably thought Roger Goodell’s Twitter account had been hacked on Tuesday when the commissioner of the “no fun league” added some fun back into his feed.
In his announcement of the NFL rule changes regarding player celebrations on Tuesday, Goodell made a joke about “Key & Peele”
Don’t get any ideas about pumps @KeeganMKey – they’re still not OK under the new policy #FootballisFamily
— Roger Goodell (@nflcommish) May 23, 2017
Goodell was referencing Keegan-Michael Key’s skit as fictional football player Hingle McCringleberry and his hip-thrusting celebration pump that has seen been copied by real-life NFL stars — and gotten them slapped with fines.
The NFL commissioner is better known for strictly laying down the law, suspending the league’s favorite players — most notably, current Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady — and botching player discipline issues, so it’s no surprise that many reactions were “who is this man???”
Other good news coming out of Goodell’s office include the return of beloved celebrations such as snow angels, using the football as a prop after a touchdown, and group demonstrations — like players dancing together.
He even used GIFs to demonstrate the changes. Again, “who is this man?!?”
“Today, we are excited to tell you about another change that comes after conversations with more than 80 current and former players: we are relaxing our rules on celebrations to allow players more room to have fun after they make big plays,” Goodell said in his statement.
“We know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown. And players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves and celebrate their athletic achievements.”
Prolonged acts of celebration, miming weapons, offensive gestures and anything sexually suggestive are still expected to be banned, NFL writer Tom Pelissero tweeted. And twerking (sorry Gronk).
“Offensive demonstrations, celebrations that are prolonged and delay the game, and those directed at an opponent, will still be penalized,” Goodell said.
Click here for the full statement — and fun graphics — from Goodell.