This is one of the better victory celebrations I've seen in while: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_09_06_sfnmlb_milmlb_1&mode=wrap

This guy - http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/12187048 - says that Prince Fielder is trying to have it both ways by going ballistic when he got hit by a pitch and then having an elaborate victory celebration a few weeks later. Maybe if I was the pitcher who gave up that home run I would feel different, but I think that columnist is all wet. I enjoy a good endzone or walk-off home run celebration. Terrell Owens, for example, does great endzone celebrations. I think my favorite endzone celebration was by the guy on the Saints who hid a cell phone under the goalpost padding so he could call his mother after a touchdown. I don't care who you are. That's funny. If the humor is there, then I don't see it as showing up the opposition. The problem is that so many of the celebrations are so lame, they appear to be just plain bad sportsmanship.

I guess I am old school, but I find any sort of celebration like that tasteless AND bad sportsmanship. Athletes need to do their job and get on with the game. I dont watch an event to see a bunch of useless, rude cavorting....

You didn't think the cell phone gag was funny?

Good sportsmanship includes being willing to laugh at yourself, IMHO.

I thought that was funny, the cell phone, but I guess I dont see the need for all the look at me stuff. My sons play football and are very good, and I discourage them from all that grandstanding... but maybe I am old fashioned..

An old coach ( I forget who) once said: "When you get to the End Zone, act like you've been there before".

I would probably do the same, but I don't begrudge others who celebrate. There was some football old-timer who said he didn't believe in endzone celebrations. He thought it was better to act like you've been there before, which makes a lot of sense. Different strokes for different folks.

EDIT: Dynalow beat me to it.

I don't mind a little celebration when warranted (big scores in big games) but the best running back who ever played the game never celebrated. He crossed the goal line and handed the ball to the nearest official, then trotted to the sidelines. He didn't need to say "Look at me" after the touchdown, everyone was already looking. And he definitely had been there before.
Oh, and for those who are too young or too sheltered, his name is Barry Sanders.

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

I too get annoyed with the preplanned celebrations. I have the most respect for the people that simply give the ball to the official, let all their teammates jump on them and go back and do it all over again next time.

The preplanned crap is all about one person. Me, me, me.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

Glad to see a majority of you prefer the "act like you've been there before" perspective. I can hardly watch an NFL game anymore with all the ego. Hell, if I had a dollar for every time one of those prima donnas tossed the football aside or just left it on the ground when an official is standing right there needing to retrieve it, I'd be a millionaire. How hard would it be to toss or even hand the ball to the ref? The endzone celebrations are a whole different story.

Excessive celebration is getting more common in baseball, too. Very disappointing.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

I'm a Walter Payton kinda guy myself, but you're right. And wasn't it Barry who replied "What's wrong with a period?" when someone asked why he didn't advocate putting an "exclamation point" after his TD's?

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Hadn't heard that Barry anecdote.
Walter is/was another class act. He, like Barry, did his talkin' with the ball in his hands and the clock running. No point in re-stating the obvious. Didn't he buy all his offensive linemen Rolexes one time? I would have a lot more respect for these "modern" players if they gave the credit where it was due.

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1983 M-B 240D-Gone too.
1976 M-B 300D-Departed.

"Good" is the worst enemy of "Great".

TD celebrations are just part of the spectacle. It's pretty hard to get into the end zone in an NFL game. I've never done it, never will. I'm not a celebrator of accomplishments myself. The deed being done is my celebration, but TD celebrations are okay. I think it behooves one not to celebrate before the game is over but whatever. What I find ridiculous are the celebrations for first downs and hits down the field. First downs hardly seem like accomplishments. It's like celebrating successfully sending an e-mail to your boss. Sure it may be important, but really?
The hits down the field are the worst though. It's not good when the guy you hit just gained 30 yards on you. Duh.

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1984 300TD