Since Trevor’s post, end zone celebrations – and the inevitable debates about them – have re-entered the general NFL discourse thanks to Stevie Johnson mocking Plaxico Burress after a touchdown last Sunday. That led to Bob Costas decrying our eroding culture in his halftime SNF monologue.

Though Costas may find the end zone expressions of Stevie J and his ilk to be icky, I disagree.

To me, creative end zone celebrations are more Ickey* than icky, and – when well done – add personality and panache to a game that too often feels over-exposed, over-regulated, and under-enjoyed by players more worried about fines and suspensions than making plays and entertaining fans.

* – If you don’t get this reference, keep shufflin’ on down this post. Have I got a treat for you…

So this post is a toast.

It’s a toast to the players who have made our NFL Sundays more enjoyable and entertaining through their charisma and creativity; and it’s a toast to you, the reader, and the many additional suggestions you made to Trevor’s article. Over 50,000 of you viewed that page, with many of you taking to the comment section to provide your own thoughts on the greatest end zone celebrations in NFL history.

In this post, I have taken your suggestions, mixed it why my own personal end zone dance biases, and come up with the definitive list of the 10 greatest end zone celebrations…ever.

10. Randy Moss’ “Disgusting Act”

Okay, so the celebration itself really isn’t all that creative. Or classy. But I never tire of hearing Joe Buck’s get off my lawn reaction to Randy Moss’ faux mooning of the Green Bay Packers crowd.

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Lighten up Joe.

9. Terrell Owens Gets His Popcorn Ready

This celebration was extremely quick and involved no dancing, but – and it’s a big but – it did help turn “getcha popcorn ready” into a universal phrase for expect excitement.

I often find myself using this phrase completely out of a football context, and the polarizing (and underrated) T.O. is a big reason why.

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8. Chad Ochocinco Proposes

Who else can follow T.O. but his BFF Ocho?

While T.O. was getting his popcorn ready, Ochocinco was getting down on his knee.

In what I’ve always felt was a very creative and fun celebration, Ocho (or was it Johnson then?) dropped to one knee and “proposed” to a Bengals cheerleader after scoring a touchdown.

My favorite part is her reaction, clearly thrilled to be in on the celebration.

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And speaking of dudes making nice with cheerleaders…

7. David Nelson Makes ‘Em Say Awwwwwww

Some of you are going to disagree with the placement of David Nelson’s recent TD celebration on this list, but I’m fully prepared to defend it.

If you had a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader as a girlfriend, don’t you think dealing with a little bit of ribbing from your teammates and fans would be worth making her feel special? Rhetorical question.

I’ll grant you that perhaps there is something inappropriate about a Bills player making nice with a Cowboys cheerleader during a game…but I say whatever. I’m giving Nelson props here. Surely his woman appreciated this grand gesture, and I’m sure he was well rewarded for it. Not one dude reading this wouldn’t take that tradeoff.

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6. Kelley Washington’s “The Squirrel”

Even though Chad Johnson/Ochocinco was more well-known for his end zone antics, it was teammate Kelley Washington who actually had the best dance; and he gets extra props for building brand recognition by using the same dance over and over.

Enjoy “The Squirrel.”

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5. Merton Hanks’ Full Body Spasm

I’m not really sure what to say about…whatever it was Merton Hanks used to do when he made a big play; but it sure was memorable, and it’s the first thing you think of what someone says “Merton Hanks.”

So it was a sure thing to make this list.

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4. Alfonso Smith’s Carlton Dance

I, like many of you, loved The Fresh Prince; and few moments of the show remain more memorable than Alfonso Ribeiro’s “Carlton Dance” to the tune of Tom Jones’ classic ode to things that are usual (or not unusual, as the case may be.)

When you share the same first name as the dance’s creator, and you bust it out after a pick-6, you win my approval. Easily.

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3. Deion Sanders’ High Step

You can’t have a list of the best end zone celebrations ever and omit the great Deion Sanders, even if Deion’s most famous dancing – his high step – came before he got into the end zone.

My apologies in advance for the DMX soundtrack (WHAT!?) but just turn down the volume. Enjoy Deion…being Deion.

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2. Billy “White Shoes” Johnson’s Funky Chicken

Many people will tell you this is the best end zone celebration of all-time. Maybe they’re right. But this is my list, and it only comes in at #2.

Still, it doesn’t diminish the historical impact of Billy “White Shoes”. He was one of the first true showmen in NFL history, and you can thank him for paving the way for all of the other celebrations on this list.

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1. The Ickey Shuffle

For me, this one is and will always be the best.

I’m sure it has something to do with timing. The height of the Ickey Shuffle coincided with my early years as a football fan, so I’ve always associated end zone celebrations with Elbert “Ickey” Woods.

Here is the greatness:

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The Ickey Shuffle was so famous that it even infiltrated pop culture! (Though I have to admit, it’s just not the same when Neil Patrick Harris does it…)

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So there you have it sports fans. There are my top 10 end zone celebrations of all-time.

I’m sure that you agree with some, disagree with others, and have your own that you think should be added to the list. Well, when Al Gore created the Internet, that’s why he included comment sections.

Your plaudits, gripes, and additional suggestions are welcomed below.

I’ll write more about the game tomorrow. I need to process it. Need my head to stop spinning.

So I’ll leave you this evening with two videos. One is from 1991, the other is from tonight.

The first features Jack Buck’s famous “And we’ll see you tomorrow night!” call on Kirby Puckett’s home run. The second features his son saying the same words on David Freese’s home run tonight.

I’ve said a lot of disparaging things about Joe Buck. Not tonight. That was awesome, and frankly it was the absolute perfect way for a game like this to end.

Update: As you’ll see below, they removed the original video I had of Joe Buck’s call from last night. Here is another video someone put together that features both calls:

Jack Buck, 1991 World Series, Game 6

Joe Buck, 2011 World Series, Game 6

What an awesome, awesome moment.

I don’t often find myself on the save wavelength as Buck in big sporting events. I rarely find his tone or excitement level matching my own. But there was no better way for such a unique, memorable, historical game to end than Buck paying the ultimate homage to his father calling a sport shared by so many fathers and sons.

Indeed, we will see you tomorrow night baseball.

But thanks for tonight. What a night. Awesome. Sublime.

(Hat tip: Friend of MSF @TicketRadio)

In case you can’t read it:

He is world-renowned for his infamous bouts with diarrhea, often directly out of his mouth in the broadcast booth.

Now that I think about it, I don’t know why this would ever be taken down. You know, since it’s factual and all.

Well here is a picture of Mr. Excitement, and I would just like to say that, despite Visa and the NFL’s best efforts, I think this guy is a miserable jackwagon.

I’ll expound of my annoyance with Mr. Excitement in a moment, but first I’ll let the much more eloquent Joe Posnanski do it for me. Here is a series of tweets Joe posted tonight during the Packers’ rout of Atlanta:

How would you like it if Mr. “I’ve missed weddings, I’ve missed births, but I’ve never missed a Super Bowl” was your Dad?

People asking if Mr. Every Super Bowl has two tickets. Are you seriously thinking this guy would bring you along?

A last thought on Mr. Every Super Bowl – guessing there’s a reason his friends, family schedule weddings on Super Bowl Sunday.

Sums it up pretty well, huh?

Here is the complete video of Larry Jacobson (that’s Mr. Excitement’s exciting name) explaining his unnecessary obsession:

I admit, when I first saw this commercial series I thought it was pretty cool. It’s neat seeing a group of friends stay close and take yearly outings like this. I hope that me and my college buddies never lose the ability to do this.

But it went from pretty cool to pretty pathetic when Mr. Excitement started unabashedly boasting about skipping weddings and births to attend the most over-promoted single event on Earth. I love the Super Bowl as much as the next guy, but I wouldn’t miss a wedding or a child being born to go to one. This miserable old codger seems proud to share the fact that he would with the world.

Whatever man. Enjoy your ironic nickname.

Anyway, while we’re on the subject of being annoyed with someone, I’ll just let a picture speak a thousand words.

Image credit: Jeffrey Ufberg/WireImage via Life.com

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No, neither of the Chicago teams that we were rooting for here at Midwest Sports Fans made the World Series. But still, as baseball fans, most of us will be taking an interest in the World Series.

I think that Boston-LA would have made for, at least on paper, better storylines and drama; but a Tampa Bay-Philadelphia World Series definitely features two exciting teams with great young players, and it features the best and most positive story in Major League Baseball since all the steroids madness started: the improbable run of the young, perennially down-trodden Tampa Bay Rays to the World Series.

The World Series follows the 2-3-2 format at all of the games are, of course, televised on Fox (Joe Buck! Tim McCarver!) and while MLB.com currently lists the Rays’ pitching rotation as TBD (as of this posting), ESPN.com at least made an educated guess. You may want to check these on a daily basis though, as the Rays getting stretched to 7 games by the Red Sox may necessitate Joe Maddon switching things up a bit.

Here is the schedule:

Game 1 — Wed, October 22nd, 8:00 ET — Philadelphia at Tampa Bay | Cole Hamels v Scott Kazmir

Game 2 — Thu, October 23rd, 8:00 ET — Philadelphia at Tampa Bay | Brett Myers v James Shields

Game 3 — Sat, October 25th, 8:00 ET — Tampa Bay at Philadelphia | Matt Garza v Jaime Moyer

Game 4 — Sun, October 26th, 8:00 ET — Tampa Bay at Philadelphia | Andy Sonnanstine v Joe Blanton

Game 5* — Mon, October 27th, 8:00 ET — Tampa Bay at Philadelphia | Cole Hamels v Scott Kazmir (projected)

Game 6* — Wed, October 29th, 8:00 ET — Philadelphia at Tampa Bay | Brett Myers v James Shields (projected)

Game 7* — Thu, October 30th, 8:00 ET — Philadelphia at Tampa Bay | Matt Garza v Jaime Moyer (projected)

* – if necessary

As far as predictions go, both teams are pretty significant rolls heading into the series. Tampa Bay has been on a magical roll all season long; and as with the White Sox in 2005 I just think that Tampa Bay is destiny’s darling this year.

I was surprised that they were able to beat the Red Sox in Game 7, and I think they will ultimately take the World Series in either Game 6 or Game 7 at Tropicana Field in front of some very deserving home fans. This is based on nothing more than a gut feeling, and in knowing that the Rays now have David Price at the end of games to ensure that Dan Wheeler doesn’t piss away a 9th inning lead.

All in all, it should be a great World Series (despite Joe Buck and Tim McCarver).

What is your prediction?

[tags]world series, mlb, philadelphia phillies, tampa bay rays[/tags]

As Lynyrd Skynyrd once sang, “Oooh, that smell. Can you smell that smell?” I know what I can smell, and for once it isn’t the stench of Grady Sizemore’s female parts since the Cleveland Indians are so waaaaaay far behind the White Sox in the AL Central Standings.

No, that smell is the first wiff of Fall. And Fall means one thing, and one thing only: Football. I could write an entire post about all of the many images, memories, feelings, and pangs of sublime anticipation that rush through every fiber of my being when this glorious time of year rolls around. However, I might crash the server due to the length of the post.

So instead, I will go a different route and highlight one of the few things about football season that I absolutely abhor. There aren’t many, and most of them are so meaningless that they are essentially infinitesimal. But there is one steaming pile of arrogant and monotone nepotism that hangs over the Fall like an unexpected early morning dingleberry carwash. And unfortunately, it hangs over October baseball as well. You all know who I’m talking about:

Joe Buck.

I don’t really want to waste time explaining all of the many reasons why Joe Buck is a tool. We all know them. And everyone has wondered at least once while listening to a Joe Buck broadcast whether he was trying to decide if he’d be having more fun smashing his nuts in a vice or being at the game he was announcing. Joe Buck treats announcing like Joe Sixpack treats his 9-5 warehouse job. Get in, work, get paid, and get out. “Joyless” is probably the most apt word to describe Joe Buck’s announcing style.

Don’t believe me? Listen to Joe Buck’s comments on Colin Cowherd’s radio show. These two megalomaniacal chode ticklers deserve eachother. Awful Announcing (a great blog that is getting added to the Blogroll ASAP) has a great take on this as well.

Case in point, his call of David Tyree’s incredible catch in last year’s Super Bowl. Courtesy of a quick YouTube search, I have the video here for your auditory displeasure:

I mean seriously…was that someone announcing the Super Bowl or reading a phone book? And Troy Aikman isn’t much better. Maybe it’s just because I grew up on Hawk Harrelson homerun calls and Don Fischer going apeshit every time Indiana scored a touchdown or made a key basket, but I like a little emotion from my announcers. They don’t have to be obvious homers like Hawk and Fisch, but for goodness sakes you’re at a football game! We’re not reciting Psalms in church here. Give me some emotion!

To provide some perspective, check out another video I found on YouTube when searching for calls of the Patriots-Giants Super Bowl. I don’t know who the hell these guys are…and obviously it was not a real broadcast. But damn, at least they have some emotion!

I’m glad I ended this post on a positive, upbeat note. Remembering that I am going to be force-fed a consistent gag-inducing diet of Joe Buck for the rest of this year was starting to make me a little nauseous.

But enough about Joe Buck the massive tool.

Bring on football! And an announcer who actually seems to be enjoying himself a little bit…

KVB…where did all of the YouTube videos go of Gus Johnson announcing NFL games???