We’ll get the sort of NSFW celebration out of the way first. On January 9, 2005, Randy Moss hauled in a 34 yard touchdown from Daunte Culpepper in the fourth quarter, securing the Vikings 31-17 victory. To celebrate, Moss jogged to the goal post, turned his back to the crowd, and proceeded to moon the Lambeau fans. It remains arguably the most controversial celebration in NFL history, prompting this line from Joe Buck, “That is a disgusting act by Randy Moss.”
Early in his career, Antonio Brown also returned punts for the Steelers. On December 6, 2015, he brought one back 71 yards for a score against the Colts, and proceeded to run a bit too fast into the goal post, sliding down like a fire pole. The flag couldn’t come out fast enough.
The first of multiple appearances by Terrell Owens came back on October 14, 2002. It’s one thing to have a touchdown celebration prepared. It’s another thing to play an entire game with a sharpie lodged in your shoe just in case you happen to score. T.O. caught a 37 yard TD from Jeff Garcia mid-way through the fourth quarter that ultimately won the game. After scoring, he pulled a sharpie out of his shoe and autographed the football.
Injuries derailed would otherwise was shaping up to be an incredible career for Ickey Woods. But as a rookie in 1988, Woods scored 15 times. Each time, he did what is famously known as the “Ickey Shuffle,” his own little dance that still gets emulated today.
If Moss doesn’t own the most disrespectful touchdown celebration, then Owens does. On September 24, 2000, after scoring, Owens ran all the way to the star at the center of Cowboys stadium to showboat. In response, Emmitt Smith did the same thing, slamming the ball on the star to get the crowd fired up after he scored a TD of his own. Later in the game, Owens scored again and did it a second time, but Cowboys safety George Teague would have none of it, laying Owens out. Ironically, Owens would join the Cowboys later that decade.
You were probably wondering when Chad Johnson would show up. The greatest showman in NFL history, the first of his many iconic celebrations on this list came in November 2005 against the Colts. After catching a touchdown, Johnson ran to a cheerleader on the sideline, got on one knee, and mocked a proposal, complete with a hug afterward.
Here’s another one of Chad Johnson’s great celebrations. After Carson Palmer hit him for a 54 yard score to put the Bengals up 17-0 over the Ravens, the Bengals WR grabbed the pylon and proceeded to “putt” the football.
The 2007 Cowboys were utterly dominant in the regular season. On November 29, Tony Romo hit Owens for 10 yard touchdown in the second quarter to go up 27-10. Owens ran to the sideline, grabbed popcorn from a fan, and tossed it into facemask. The imagine is one of the most recognizable touchdown celebrations ever. Getcha popcorn ready!
15 weeks into the season, Chad Johnson’s antics were well known around the league. After opening the game’s scoring in the first quarter, Johnson retrieved a pre-made sign that read, “Dear NFL: Please don't fine me again!” The NFL did, in fact, fine him again.
December 14, 2003 has to be the greatest touchdown celebration day in NFL history. Topping this list and somehow beating out both Johnson and Owens is former Saints WR Joe Horn. After scoring the second of what wound up being four touchdowns on the evening, on Sunday Night Football, Horn pulled out a pre-planted cell phone from under the goal post and mocked a call. 15 years later, Michael Thomas would pay homage to Horn with the same celebration on what wound up being the longest TD of his career (72 yards).
