Best Outlawed Sports Celebrations

While professional athletes might be some of the most talented people on the planet, not all of them claim to be entertainers while doing other things.

A few of them, though, well, they have provedn time and time again that they have some serious creativity.

Since every athlete wants to be known for being the best, celebrations are no different—and these happen to be the best ones that, unfortunately, got outlawed for being a little too over-the-top.

Johnnie Morton's Worm

Former NFL wide receiver Johnnie Morton may have had his best professional football days with the Detroit Lions, but one of his most memorable moments came while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.

That's when Morton busted out one of the go-to dance moves at weddings everywhere, scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns and doing "The Worm" in the end zone.

Sadly, we haven't seen this move since.

Randy Moss' Moon Shot

"Straight cash, homey."

That was the response by former NFL wide receiver Randy Moss when asked how he planned on paying off his $10,000 fine for mooning the Green Bay Packers fans back in 2005.

Was it as disgusting as commentator Joe Buck makes it out to be? Maybe. 

But was it absolutely hilarious? Absolutely.

The Dunk

You don't have to ask New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham what he thinks about the NFL penalizing players for dunking the football through the goal post. Here's a hint: He's not a fan.

While there are plenty of football players out there who like to show that they have hops like NBA stars, the NFL seems to think that it's unsportsmanlike and eliminated it from the game.

Looks like these guys will just have to find something else to do to celebrate.

Joe Horn Makes a Call

Who knew that a phone call could be so damn expensive?

Had former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn known that the NFL was going to hit him with a $30,000 fine for excessive celebration for using his cell following a touchdown, he may have thought twice about doing it.

While this was insane when we all saw it back in 2003, these days, it seems that using cell phones as a prop in a celebration happens every so often.

P.K. Subban Can't Go Triple-Five

While some of these other celebrations are banned for standing up other players or opponents, I'm not really sure if that's the case with this triple-low five that hockey players P.K. Subban and Carey Price used to do.

Still, the NHL found that slapping a guy's hand three straight times offended somebody and brought the hammer down on the Montreal Canadiens players, saying that they couldn't do it any longer.

Looks like the NHL stands for "No High-Five League."

Ball Spinning

Al Bello/Getty Images

Oh, I'm sorry, did someone get too upset about the ball rotating following a touchdown?

If so, I'd really like to know who that person is, because this one might be the most ridiculous outlawed celebration of them all.

While I can understand a few of these other moves being tamed by the NFL, spinning the ball is a tough one to accept. But it appears that players will have to adjust, as the league has encouraged refs to toss a flag if it's done.

Xabi Alonso

Note to all future soccer players who are already serving a suspension and plan to go celebrate a big win of the game you missed with your teammates—don't do it.

Unfortunately for Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso, he learned that the hard way, as he was hit with improper conduct following a match against Atletico Madrid a few months ago.

I guess there's something wrong with being the team's No. 1 cheerleader when not suited up, huh?

Brandon Mebane's Belly Roll

OK, so this one comes with a bit of a disclaimer.

Although massive Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane did a smooth—yet pretty disturbing—belly roll following a sack against the Minnesota Vikings last season, the 300-pounder wasn't penalized.

Seems accurate, right?

Well, in the rules of the NFL, sack dances are technically banned, meaning that Mebane should have seen some yellow for this thing—which may have been appropriate.

Gronk's Spike

Like other extremely questionable celebrations on this list, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's powerful spike might not always see a flag from refs, but in the rule books, it should.

One of the most ferocious spikers the NFL has ever seen, Gronk seemingly tries to put a hole in the ground following each touchdown he tallies.

I mean, seeing the strength he uses, I guess it is a safety liability should another player get hit by the ball, because that thing would definitely cause a bruise.

Billy "White Shoes" Johnson

Former NFL player Billy "White Shoes" Johnson might have been a pioneer in transforming how touchdown celebrations happen, but these days, he'd see a flag every time he crossed the goal line.

While Johnson's moves are slick, the league doesn't so much agree, banning any dancing in the direction of an opponent, stating that it's unsportsmanlike.

Whatever happened to a guy just wanting to dance?

Jared Allen's Sack Dance

Like the aforementioned Brandon Mebane of the Seattle Seahawks, new Chicago Bears defender Jared Allen saw his trademark sack celebration come to an end because of the NFL cracking down on him.

Known for his cattle-roping move following a takedown of the opposing quarterback, Allen had to refrain from using it after the league said they could fine him starting back in 2010.

That's a bummer, because it was truly one of the better sack celebrations.

Atlanta Falcons Dirty Bird

Although an individual player can still perform the famed Dirty Bird dance that former running back Jamal Anderson and his teammates made famous in 1998, the entire team can't do it together as that squad showed a few times.

Meant to be an entire flock of birds flying together after a team accomplishment, the NFL has restricted teammates from joining in on celebrations, so this one's technically banned—unless done solo.

Trent Richardson's Salute

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

Current Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson may not have been saluting fans all that much in the past few seasons, but the NFL has made it clear that if he does do it when scoring, refs will be keeping an eye on him.

That's because the league hasn't completely banned him—or any other player—from saluting the fans, but if they do it towards another player, they'll draw a flag.

Really? Whatever happened to American pride?