Playing in trenches for 14 seasons, New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Cam Jordan knows the rules. Football remains a game of rules and order, geared to keep the game safe and efficient. Apparently, a rule exists for every single occasion, regardless of the situation, no matter how large or small.
Every year, the Competition Committee convenes to amend the rulebook in what they deem as the best interest of the NFL. However, those shifts in regulations never please everyone, especially a veteran hoping the committee repeals one.
Saints DE Cam Jordan Wanted Taunting Rule Abolished
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, the NFL made money on celebrations. Spiking the football and trash talk became a bankable commodity that sold endless videotapes. Yet, a group of stodgy traditionalists shook their collective fists in anger. People praised Hall of Famer Barry Sanders for not spiking the ball and just handing the ball back to officials. The era of the lavish celebrations started to decline.
Hall of Fame wideout Terrell Owens removed a pen from his sock after a touchdown to sign the ball in real time. Veteran Joe Horn placed a flip phone under the goalpost pad. When he scored, he grabbed it, and the world marveled.
20 years ago today, Joe Horn pulled out a cell phone from underneath the goal post after scoring a TD 📞
One of the all-time great celebrations 🤣pic.twitter.com/7Dc3WxkGst
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 14, 2023
Yet, you just had to know that the NFL would start cracking down on excessive celebration that they deem as taunting. Jordan responded to which NFL rule he believed was the dumbest, and he did not mince words. During a panel at Fanatics Fest, the Saints legend made his opinion clear.
What’s the dumbest rule in the NFL right now?@camjordan94 didn’t hesitate: “Bring back taunting!!!” 😂 pic.twitter.com/LtWty5IXKx
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 23, 2025
“What’s the dumbest rule in the NFL right now?
@camjordan94 didn’t hesitate: “Bring back taunting!!!” 😂
“For the fans, I think it’s the excessive celebration. I get a celebration off a quarterback; give me five seconds. Put the spotlight on me. I’m going to hit the level. Let us celebrate. It’s OK to taunt; bring back taunting.”
If you play at the line of scrimmage during the course of four quarters as a defender and you find a way to break free and sack the quarterback, you should enjoy that accomplishment. Statistics never reside in the defensive lineman’s favor, as quarterbacks escape harm far more than they suffer.
Then again, the NFL will probably never change this rule, as they employ an official to check uniform standards and assess fines for players’ jerseys, pants, cleats, or socks that fail to meet the league’s expectations. In watering down the emotion of the individual play, the league mandated an antiseptic approach to a game whose basic structure contains violent contact on each and every play.
Jordan speaks as a veteran who knows his time in the league slowly dwindles, and he wants to see the passion and fun of the game return. Will the league capitulate?
