Sometimes, it just doesn't pay to be too happy.
In 1997, Washington Redskins quarterback Gus Frerrote jammed his neck when he banged it against the wall at FedEx Field after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants and missed the rest of the game.
In 2001, Arizona Cardinals placekicker Bill Gramatica tore his anterior cruciate ligament when he jumped up and celebrated after making a field goal against Giants.
Sunday, Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch was added to the list of players who got injured when celebrating. After Ziggy Ansah sacked Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a 19-7 victory, Tulloch acted like he was putting on a championship belt, jumping in the air and imitating Rodgers' "discount double-check" celebration.
"Minor setback for a huge come back," Tulloch wrote on Instagram in a post accompanied by a picture of teammates Monday. "I give everything I have EVERY SUNDAY. I play the game 1 way and that's full speed. I play the game for the guys in this photo, my family. #Lions."
Wrote Cindy Boren of the Washington Post, "Tulloch learned, it should not be done too enthusiastically. Because he managed to sustain one of the most embarrassing injuries since kicker Bill Gramatica hurt himself celebrating a field goal. Tullouch hurt his knee on the move and probably isn't going to be getting a State Farm gig anytime soon."
Get me some coffee
Rookies often learn that when a veteran wants something done, it's best to drop what you are doing and get it done, no questions asked.
In the NFL, that often means bringing in doughnuts once a week for everyone in your position group. In baseball, sometimes that means buying coffee for veterans.
Such was the case with Los Angeles Dodgers Joc Pederson, even if it means leaving the ballpark in uniform. A photo surfaced Friday of Pederson wearing his uniform and a clubhouse attendant fetching coffee and other beverages for his teammates.
Pederson posted the photo on his Instagram account prior to the Dodgers game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The rookie outfielder wrote, "Made a Starbucks run for the team" in the caption next to the photo.
Whatever it takes to earn your teammates respect.
Blown opportunity
After Florida State announced Friday night it was changing quarterback Jameis Winson's suspension against Clemson from the first half to the whole game after making after making offensive and vulgar comments about the female anatomy on campus Tuesday , it appeared the Tigers had a chance to pull off an upset.
The Tigers blew plenty of opportunities. Crossing Florida State 20-yard line four times, the Tigers came away away with no points, thanks to two missed field goals, a fumble and in overtime, getting stopped on fourth and a foot instead of kicking the go-ahead field goal.
Wrote Los Angeles Times columnist Chris DuFresne, "There were those of us thinking, hoping actually, that Clemson could upset top-ranked Florida State on Saturday night in Tallahassee.
"Unfortunately, Clemson did what it often does when faced with program-defining moments.
"Clemson could not take advantage of a Florida State team playing without suspended quarterback Jameis Winston.
"Clemson missed chip-shot field goals and fumbled, late in the game, deep in Florida State territory.
"The Tigers were good enough only to force overtime, and lose, which took Winston off the hook for possibly costing his team a chance to repeat as national champions."
Sports quiz
Where did Stephen Tulloch play college football?
Answer
North Carolina State
Sports on 09/23/2014