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The top five sports celebrations of all-time 

by Jason Gilbert
Exchange Staff

     I tuned into SportsCenter the other day to witness Alex Rodriguez's walk-off grand slam. Yeah I know, a clutch hit --- I couldn't believe it myself. What followed after the grand slam was maybe the dullest celebration I have ever seen. This got me thinking of the greatest sports celebrations that I have ever witnessed either live, on ESPN, or nowadays on YouTube.

     On that note YouTube is easily the best new "it" invention in the past few years, second to every single iproduct known to man. So after watching A-Rod's drab celebration, which matches his personality, I decided to write an article about the top five sports celebrations of all time. . . enjoy!

     #5) Joe Horn and his cell phone

     Joe Horn formerly of the New Orleans Saints was always viewed as a very energetic and emotional football player. He took his outgoing personality to another level during a nationally televised game during the 2003 season. After scoring a touchdown he reached under the goal post to reveal a cell phone and proceeded to make a call to President Bush notifying him that there was a hurricane on the way to New Orleans, not like that made a difference. Okay, maybe I made the last part up, but the incident was still hilarious (not Katrina) and it deserves to be on the list. I will forever be a Joe Horn fan because of it.

     #4) NC State Coach Jimmy Valvano

     During the days of Phi Slamma Jamma, the Houston Cougars were led by future hall of famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon. They were the powerhouse team of 1983 but a Cinderella team took them out during the championship game by winning on an accidental alley-oop that shocked the world. That team was NC State and what proceeded was the most unplanned celebration ever, which featured head coach Jim Valvano running onto the court, looking like a 4-year-old who can't find his mommy in the grocery store, looking for someone to hug and celebrate with. One of the all-time best upsets and easily one of the greatest celebrations.

     #3) Terrell Owens versus the Dallas Cowboys

     Some say the sharpie incident is what started it all and maybe that is true, but my favorite T.O. celebration was against the Cowboys in 2000 when he played for the 49ers. After he caught a touchdown pass he sprinted to the star in the middle of the field and looked up to God in the sky. I guess the first time the big man upstairs was okay with it, but the next time he did it God sent a Cowboy to destroy him and T.O. got drilled and it was hilarious. This had to make the countdown. . . I laugh every time I see it.

     #2) Michael Jordan's shrug

     The greatest basketball player of all-time had many quality celebrations which were portrayed in his shoe commercial last year. The one celebration if you can even call it that, was when he was just dismantling a team. I believe it was the New York Knicks. He was probably getting heckled by Spike Lee and he made like five or maybe even ten shots in a row, which all were difficult shots to make. The whole world knew he was "on fire" and he knew it too, and all he could do was this little shrug after one of the baskets. That is when you know you are the best --- when you can do a little harmless gesture and people remember that celebration out of all of them. That is MJ for you --- so good that he didn't need a cell phone, a sharpie, or any other object, just himself.

     #1) Robbie Fowler in 1999 FA Premier League game

     This celebration is easily the best one of all-time. I am actually jealous I never thought of snorting the end-line during a soccer game, but I was also not accused of using drugs during the season. It is #1 because of three key things: it's unique, controversial and just absolutely spectacular. So what if he got fined 60,000 euros
---  that had to have been worth it. One word for this celebration: CLASSIC.

     There they are folks. Remember one thing, sports are the greatest thing known to man besides women and the one thing that makes them worth watching besides the score is the celebration. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.