Odell Beckham. Antonio Brown. Cam Newton. Von Miller.

What do these players all have in common?

Yes, they're all fantastic, superstar players, but they're all also as famous for their celebratory antics as they are for their play on the field. The larger than life personalities of these guys are always on display and have eventually become must-see TV, regardless of fans' feelings towards the players. They're plenty of fans who probably can't stand guys like these and must be disgusted by the growing number of players celebrating when they score, but at the end of the day, sports are entertainment and players like these are most definitely entertaining.

For many years, the celebrations done by NFL players has largely been one of the most entertaining parts of the game, and the personalities and flair of the NFL only seem to be growing with each draft class.

Over the past few seasons, the NFL has seemed to be cracking down on player's who choose to celebrate after the play with the infamous "excessive celebration" penalty. The call has been understandable for the most part and has done its due diligence as far as maintaining a healthy level of respect between opponents (at least on camera), but has become largely ridiculous of late. Players are being fined left and right and are being crucified by the media and pundits alike, all in the name of having fun or expressing their enjoyment for the game that they love and are blessed to play as their profession.

This penalty/call can be found in the "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" section of the NFL Rulebook and penalizes any player celebrating excessively, purposefully taunting other players or the other team. If you're like me and want the words from the source itself, the rulebook reads:

-The use of battling or taunting acts or words that engender ill between teams.

-Individual players involved in prolonged or excessive celebrations. Players are prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground. A celebration shall be deemed excessive or prolonged if a player continues to celebrate after a warning from an official.

-Two (or more) players engage in prolonged, excessive, premeditated, or choreographed celebrations.

-Possession or use of foreign or extraneous object(s) that are not part of the uniform during the game, or the field or the sideline, or using the ball as a prop.

Now, on one hand, the NFL is trying to take a pragmatic approach in handling the "issue" of players celebrating. This rule is based on the principles we all learn in the process of proper competition etiquette—aka, sportsmanship.

That being said, the NFL is being ridiculous.

All sports are games filled emotional highs and lows, especially the game of football. Anyone who has played football at any level understands how much time and effort is put into every game, and reaping success for your hard work is one of the greatest gifts you can receive, so why not celebrate?

Sportsmanship is a good thing and is needed in most situations when it is being emphasized, but this tyrannical approach to celebrating that the NFL has taken up needs to go. Just let these dudes have some fun. Let the fans live a little. Give the kids watching a new dance for them to do with their friends when they're playing backyard football.

Players like T.O., Chad Johnson and Deion Sanders all had wonderful careers, but all were remembered, just as equally, if not more in some cases, for their entertaining antics on the field. I don't know about you, but I don't think their careers would've been the same without the flair they displayed week in and week out.

Let these dudes have some fun. I think I speak for everyone when I say no one wants the game to turn into this: