Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Why in this era when hits to the head are severely penalized do
players headbutt each other when congratulating.
I realize the level of impact differs but it still seems incongruous.

It has amused me in recent years to see Tom Brady turn to a ref screaming bloody murder when a defender brushes his helmet with a finger like a butterfly, just to see him complete a TD pass and go head-butt half his O Line, Gronk, etc.

That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.

JohnH19 wrote:That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.

We did it all the time when I played in high school and college. Never gave it much thought it was just this primal celebratory thing. Football is a gladiator sport and this was just a savage thing you did.

I used to hate it though when somebody surprised you out of the blue with a "come on let's go!!" and grabbed your facemask for a headbutt.

sheajets wrote:

JohnH19 wrote:That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.

We did it all the time when I played in high school and college. Never gave it much thought it was just this primal celebratory thing. Football is a gladiator sport and this was just a savage thing you did.

I used to hate it though when somebody surprised you out of the blue with a "come on let's go!!" and grabbed your facemask for a headbutt.

I don't know when you were in high school but I'm guessing that concussions weren't yet a major topic of discussion. Heck, even the ubiquitous congratulatory head slap is a dumb thing to do. I've seen players dazed by an unexpected rap upside the head by a teammate.

JohnH19 wrote:

sheajets wrote:

JohnH19 wrote:That’s just one more thing that bothers this crotchety old man. It’s just plain stupid. In fact, my wife watched a couple of minutes of the Iron Bowl with me yesterday and I commented on it when Alabama players were banging heads in celebration of a play. My wife asked why coaches don’t put a stop to it. I didn’t have an answer.

We did it all the time when I played in high school and college. Never gave it much thought it was just this primal celebratory thing. Football is a gladiator sport and this was just a savage thing you did.

I used to hate it though when somebody surprised you out of the blue with a "come on let's go!!" and grabbed your facemask for a headbutt.

I don't know when you were in high school but I'm guessing that concussions weren't yet a major topic of discussion. Heck, even the ubiquitous congratulatory head slap is a dumb thing to do. I've seen players dazed by an unexpected rap upside the head by a teammate.

LOL. I haven't worn a football helmet since the 80's but I do recall those congratulatory head slap leaving you with a dizzy feeling and thinking "Deacon Jones would've done that the whole game!"