A Spike at the Feet of Critics

Beginning this season, the NFL will penalize players for spiking the ball on the field of play. For each incident, a five-yard delay-of-game penalty will be assessed to the violating team. The penalties will not apply to spikes done out of bounds or in the end zone. I agree with this new rule, but there is one local sportswriter who believes it doesn’t go far enough. He believes the penalty should be 15 yards and that the ban on spiking should be extended to the end zone. He says a spike is a display of anger and that it is a "'Take that!' gesture to critics, real and imagined."

However, I don't see problem with that, assuming the player spiking the ball has just scored a touchdown. To me, the ability to rub your critics' noses in a personal success once in a while is one of the few great pleasures of life. In fact, it's a motivating factor for many people, including myself. Sometimes, even when nothing else will motivate me to do what I need to do to ensure success, the thought of a potential opportunity to "stick it" to my detractors will do the trick.