Touchdown celebrations are part of what make college football so much fun, but South Alabama tight end D.J. Thomas-Jones should have been flagged for his antics on Saturday night. It was shocking that the official did not call a penalty for excessive celebration and/or unsportsmanlike conduct.
Thomas-Jones had himself a night during the eight-point loss to Texas State. He caught nine passes for 56 yards and three touchdowns. One of his three scores came with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter.
As soon as the 6-foot-3, 247-pound senior crossed the goal line, the celebration was on. Thomas-Jones pretended to break down a door and held up a fake gun as if it was a stick-up.
In that moment, a Bobcats linebacker crossed his path. Brian Holloway even pushed him aside while walking right through the celebration.
Thomas-Jones swung the imaginary gun right around and put the opponent in his sights.
Somehow, some way, none of the three nearby officials threw a flag. The Field Judge ran right over to break it up and pushed Thomas-Jones away. And yet, the laundry stayed in his pocket.
Touchdown celebrations rule. A fake stick-up isn’t problematic.
However, to point an imaginary gun at the head of an opponent is one step too far. Even if the opponent walked right through your path!
Maybe both guys should have been flagged so the penalties could offset, because Holloway did start it. That doesn’t give Thomas-Jones a free pass to turn his aim toward Holloway. Pretty wild move!
There is a line. South Alabama’s tight end crossed that line.
He was instigated, yes. He wouldn’t have turned the fake gun at the Texas State player if the player hadn’t walked in front of him and made contact, yes. Thomas-Jones still should’ve been flagged.