Tradition and Sports...What a Combo!

Fists pumped in the air. Chest bumps with a friend. Guttural yells. Silly dances. Admit it -- when your team impresses, you can’t hold back. It’s just a natural part of being an Ultimate Sports Fan. Professional players understand this passion. It is, after all, the reason they play. And so it’s understandable that many teams and individual players have celebratory customs of their own.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium is one of the most unique NFL stadiums, as proven by the pirate ship built into its end zone. The team plays off the theme while sharing its successes with fans, by using cannons to fire souvenirs such as T-shirts into the crowd when touchdowns are scored.

Fans have been part of the celebration at the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field since 1993, when defensive back LeRoy Butler ran through the end zone and jumped onto the wall in front of the stands, landing in the cheering crowd. Since then, fans have known to expect to have a Packer land on their lap, as the “Lambeau Leap" is now a traditional part of the team’s touchdown celebration. And Packers fans have their own unique display of team support; they are known for mooning the visiting team’s bus after the game.

Some players don’t rely on team traditions to bask in the limelight. Instead, they live in the moment, making up their own celebrations as they go along -- and thumbing their noses at the NFL, which dishes out penalties or fines (often in the five-figure range) for touchdown celebrations in which players use props or even let their feet leave the ground.

A prime example of such an improviser is the Buffalo Bills’ Terrell Owens, who has been known to swipe a cheerleader’s pom pons, whip a marker out of his sock to autograph the football, perform sit-ups, and mock opponents’ touchdown dances while celebrating success in the end zone.

Just as dramatic in his celebrations is Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco, whose famous name-change to reflect the number 85 on his uniform is just the tip of the iceberg. Ocho Cinco has broken into Irish dance steps, tried his hand at golf by using a plyon to whack a football, and acknowledged the League’s response to his antics by holding up signs reading, “Dear NFL, Please don’t fine me again!" Don’t believe it? See these actions and others for yourself

Most baseball traditions are a bit more subdued, but leave just as much of an impression on game-goers. Fans at ballparks across the nation participate in the “Seventh Inning Stretch," when they reenergize by singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game." The singing doesn’t end there, though. Baseball fans are also known for letting loose with the “Chicken Dance" and other party songs, such as “YMCA."

MLB teams also unite for a “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer" program held annually on Mother’s Day. Plays use pink baseballs bats to raise awareness and sell similar bats to fans, with proceeds earmarked for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Though many baseball traditions are revered across the League, there is always a player or two who, through his own actions, can’t resist leaving his own mark. Sammy Sosa, while playing for the Chicago Cubs, celebrated home runs by tapping his heart and blowing a kiss. Six-time All-Star player Nomar Garciaparra is known for restrapping his batting gloves and tapping his toes before batting. And before each Cleveland Cavaliers game, LeBron James throws handfuls of chalk into the air. Fans have begun to do the same.

These are just a sampling of the traditions and celebrations you can expect to witness when you go to the game. But remember, you never know what to expect when players get caught up in the moment. New traditions can begin at any time. And those moments are, after all, among the things that make your team so much fun to watch.