Fansided

Why Lambeau Leap isn’t a penalty

By CM Towle

facebooktwitterreddit

As everyone watches the Green Bay Packers play in Lambeau on Sunday, former VP of officiating for the NFL, Mike Pereira explains why the Lambeau Leap isn’t a penalty.

The Lambeau Leap is probably the most storied tradition in NFL celebrations, possibly the only storied tradition in terms of celebrations.

More from Green Bay Packers

It’s pretty simple in theory, after scoring, the scoring player leaps over the wall at the back of the end zone to be embraced by fans. Or, as wide receiver Randell Cobb puts it, any number of things can happen.

“Yeah, I’ve been touched a few times inappropriately,” said wide receiver Randall Cobb, one of this year’s most frequent fliers. “I had a beer put on me. Popcorn, and the coolest one so far — ketchup off the cheese curds. (via ESPN)

As everyone who watches the NFL knows, the league frowns pretty hard on nearly every kind of “excessive celebration”, which you would think includes leaping into the stands. However, the Lambeau Leap remains legal.  Why is that?

Technically, the only reason it is legal is because the league says it is, but presumably it becomes illegal if someone other than the scoring player also jumps into the stands. Maybe it’s also legal because it’s apparently really, really hard, at least according to some current Packers players.

“It’s really, really hard,” running back Eddie Lacy said of the leap. “You’ve got a long drive, you exerted a lot of energy getting there and once you get there, unless you are one of those guys that can jump out of a gym, it’s going to be difficult.” (via CBS Sports)

Packers fullback John Kuhn had trouble with the Leap last season in the Wild Card game between the Packers and 49ers.

“There are a lot of obstacles on the way to the wall — cords, cameramen in the way, all kinds of people on the field… and the field is always a mess,” Kuhn said. “Then once you get there, you have to get a good leap off.”

Next: Video: Cowboys, Packers Brawl After Cheap Shot

Easier said than done, apparently.

The first Lambeau Leap was actually done by a defensive player, strong safety LeRoy Butler. Butler scored a defensive touchdown in a game against the Raiders in 1993. He impulsively jumped into the stands, though he didn’t quite make it over the wall. Butler offered his opinion recently on ESPN about why the celebration continues to be legal.

“It’s not showing up the other team. It’s showing that we appreciate our fans for being a part of this game. You’re sitting out there in 19-below-zero weather. The least we could do is jump up and give you a hug.”

So there you go, folks. The Lambeau Leap is legal, it’s not showing up the other team with an excessive celebration, it’s really just all about the fans. And avoiding ketchup on cheese curds.

More from FanSided

Home/Green Bay Packers