Scoooore!

With all the sports on TV over the past month, I’m really enjoying one thing – the celebrations. Seems like every sport has created its way to celebrate.  And once it’s set, the kids come up with something new. If you’ve ever played, there’s nothing like celebrating a win (you should see my Euchre shuffle) – and we do it all the time here at KHT – when one of our engineers “nails it”, or one of our gang on the floor figures out a way to do it better.  A nod, smile, or traditional “pat on the back” is good, but it’s more fun when we go the extra mile.  I got a big kick out of the Mariners handing the home run hitters a giant gold trident and the Blue Jays dug out jacket. From college helmet awards to the hockey bench fist bumps, it’s just fun. I did some internet searching to find some of the traditions we’ve all come to enjoy and got a kick out of the ones I remember as a kid. What started as a gentleman’s handshake “back in the day” to tearing jerseys, back flips, and fist bumps, it’s all a blast. I have to admit, in football I’m still partial to a quick kneel – sign of the cross and tossing the ball to the ref does it for me! ENJOY!

The Gatorade Shower — NFL Tradition

First seen in 1984 when New York Giants nose tackle Jim Burt dumped a cooler of Gatorade on coach Bill Parcells, this prank turned into the most recognizable championship ritual in sports. What started as payback became a victory baptism that spread to nearly every sport.

Milk in Victory Lane — Indy 500

In 1936, winner Louis Meyer asked for buttermilk after his third Indy 500 win. A dairy exec saw it, loved it, and made it a tradition. Today, winners hoist and sip milk — a quirky but beloved symbol of endurance and American racing pride.

Champagne Showers — Formula 1, Baseball & Beyond

Spraying champagne from the podium began accidentally when Dan Gurney popped his bottle in 1967 after winning Le Mans. The joyous spray became so iconic that it now defines every major motorsport podium. In modern times, Daniel Ricciardo’s “shoey” (drinking from his racing shoe) turned celebration into performance art, and we’ve all seen the footage of “inside the locker room” when teams win the pennant.

The Lambeau Leap — Football Meets Fans

Invented by LeRoy Butler in 1993, the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Leap turned touchdowns into fan moments. Jumping into the front row became a rite of passage for Packers players — part gratitude, part glory. It doesn’t happen often in Brown’s stadium, but when it does, the Dog Pound goes nuts!

The Ickey Shuffle — End Zone Dance

Running back Ickey Woods brought humor and rhythm to the NFL with his 1988 “Ickey Shuffle” touchdown dance. It was so popular that the league eventually had to create celebration rules — and it lives on in memes and commercials decades later. The players are so creative now, it’s choreographed and fun to watch.

The High Five — From the Dodgers to the World

While the “low five” had existed for years, the modern high five was popularized by Glenn Burke and Dusty Baker of the 1977 Los Angeles Dodgers. Their mid-air hand slap after a home run became the universal sign of shared success — now found everywhere from T-ball to boardrooms.

The Bat Flip — Baseball’s Mic Drop

Bat flips have been around, but José Bautista’s 2015 ALDS homer for the Toronto Blue Jays made it legendary. His emphatic toss became a flashpoint between old-school “respect” and new-school swagger — and launched a new era of player expression.

Rally Caps and Superstitions — Baseball’s Comeback Mojo

From the 1985 Mets to Little League dugouts everywhere, flipping your cap inside-out or stacking helmets in the dugout is baseball’s way of saying, “We’re not done yet.” It’s silly, collective, and oddly powerful — proof that hope itself can be a team sport.

Bench Fist Bumps & “Celly” Culture — Hockey

In hockey, no one celebrates alone. After scoring, the player skates by the bench for quick glove taps and fist bumps. “Cellys” (short for celebrations) have evolved into full-blown rituals — from the simple fist pump to stick-tosses and knee slides on the ice. It’s equal parts tradition and joy. And many arenas celebrate 3-goal hat tricks, with hats on the ice, teddy bears, and an octopus!

The Soccer Knee-Slide — The Universal Goal

Few celebrations capture euphoria like a soccer knee-slide. Pioneered in the 1990s by players such as Jairzinho and Didier Drogba, perfected by Brandi Chastain and Cristiano Ronaldo, and mimicked by kids everywhere, the motion — sprint, drop, slide, arms wide — has become the global image of triumph. The Geico commercial where the player slides and keeps going is one of my favorites.

Golf’s Fist Pump — Tiger’s Roar

Golf isn’t known for loud moments, which makes Tiger Woods’ fist pump so iconic. His first at a junior tournament led to decades of highlights — the 2005 Masters chip-in is still replayed as the greatest pure expression of will in sport. Others have copied it, but Tiger’s remains the standard. And, who are the crazies that jump into the water after winning – nuts!

Poses — “Night Night” and Beyond

The NBA may lead all sports in creative celebrations. Stephen Curry’s “Night Night” (hand to cheek) signaled game-over cool; Giannis Antetokounmpo’s mean-mug and LeBron’s chalk toss are now part of pop culture. Players craft personal moves as much as jump shots — and fans mimic them worldwide. The Usain Bolt pose is one of my favorites.

Tennis Fist Pumps and Family Dances

From Rafael Nadal’s primal fist pumps to Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon “pump it up” dances with his children, tennis has evolved from stoic restraint to emotional release. Even in its quiet arenas, the celebration now carries family, identity, and story.

Racing Backflips — The Carl Edwards Legacy

Few visuals beat Carl Edwards doing a perfect backflip off his NASCAR car after a win. It began as a spur-of-the-moment reaction and became his signature. Fellow racers like Daniel Hemric now continue it — proof that pure joy sticks.

Fence Climbs — Helio’s “Spider-Man”

After his first IndyCar win in 2000, Hélio Castroneves climbed the catch fence to celebrate with fans. The crowd loved it — and he’s done it after every win since. In a sport known for speed, this slow, personal moment became iconic.

Butt Slaps & Chest Bumps — The Universal Bond

From NBA courts to NFL sidelines, these quick, physical moments of camaraderie — part ritual, part adrenaline — are universal. Nobody “invented” them, but they persist because they’re instinctive: humans acknowledging each other’s fire. Big linemen doing belly bumps with tiny receivers is hysterical.

Famous Announcer Calls — When Words Become the Celebration

Sometimes the moment isn’t visual at all.

• “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” – Al Michaels, 1980 Olympic Hockey
• “The Giants win the pennant!” – Russ Hodges, 1951
• “Goooooooalllll!” – The universal soccer cry that made announcers like Andrés Cantor celebrities
• ESPN’s Chris Berman made the football recaps so fun to watch – I always loved “he could, go all the way,” and “whoop” when the ball gets picked for an interception, and silly nicknames for the players.
• In Cleveland our own Tom Hamilton – “a waaaaaaayyyyyy back… and GONE!” for homeruns.

Team Jackets, Props & Dugout Rituals

From the “rally shoe” to MLB teams donning matching postseason jackets, modern celebrations often merge fashion, branding, and superstition. Players wear “victory jackets” or themed gear in the dugout — creating shared identity and viral photos. Fans copy the look, and it becomes part of team culture.

Trophy Moments & Playful Twists

Whether it’s Danielle Kang eating pho out of her trophy, a golfer pretending to sip from the Claret Jug before even winning it, or NHL players kissing the Stanley Cup, the object becomes part of the ritual. The line between joy, humor, and showmanship keeps moving – and many fans love every second.

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