I wondered what happened for people to think about me.. WebElmo Wright is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). The leap began against the Los Angeles Raiders when LeRoy Butler scored a defensive touchdown and jumped into the stands. To make a long story short, on a little down-and-out pattern, I caught the ball and he dove at my feet. But Elmo was, quite possibly, the happiest man Ive ever interviewed. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Elbert Ickey Woods is still giving out dance lessons to this day. I'm so glad we gave up on the closer dance studios and have made the commitment to drive all the way to Brea for Stagelight!". During his sophomore season in 1968, Wright took to slamming the ball to the ground. He talks about how the dance is just a way to express the joy that came with achieving his goals.Subscribe to the channel and stay up to date with the latest Sports Connections.Podcast links (subscribe below or find us on your favorite platform):Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sports-connections-with-david-smale/id1547099793Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7q8qZPD3MGSdJs9S0quZs0?si=1Zx2JyLISk6NPUHxrhM82AGoogle: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3Nwb3J0c2Nvbm5lY3Rpb25zL2ZlZWQueG1sPodbean: https://sportsconnections.podbean.com Wright gave them the show they wanted to see he caught five balls for 154 yards and two scores. People started booing me, Wright remembers. Elmo Wright (born July 3, 1949) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). That meant no props, including the football itself. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Wright recalls How do you forget one of the greatest wide receivers in UH history? In his third year with the Chiefs, he caught a touchdown pass in a game on Nov. 18, 1973, against the Houston Oilers and celebrated with what some believe was the first end zone dance in N.F.L. They fined Ickey for his jubilance. Thats stupid. No prolonged, excessive, or premeditated celebrations would be allowed by individuals or groups. The art of the NFL touchdown dance has evolved significantly over the last four decades.From the "Ickey Shuffle" to Steve Johnson, the torch remains lit for those who love to draw attention.For the world's best professional football stars, the touchdown celebration has gone from spontaneousexuberance to scripted skits in the end zone.For better or for worse, touchdown celebrations are here to stay.Here is a video-profile taking us through the generations of the artful end-zoneextravaganzathat is the NFL touchdown dance. A player who only has to run patterns and score touchdowns isn't thinking long term. Elmo Wright was an entertainer at heart. You'll feel like part of the family the minute you walkmore, We were at two other dance studios previously that were so competitive that it just wasn't as fun.more, Some dance studios are all about competition but Academy 831 goes beyond that and truly helpsmore, The best dance studio in Orange County Ca. All contents Whatever it was, people didnt like it, and I would imagine the response at the time wasnt all that much different from the NBC broadcast crews response to DeSean Jacksons taunting penalty against the Giants, which was as follows: Collinsworth: You know you wanna get paid. By When, where and why did you start dancing in the end zone after scoring a touchdown? The Eagles Riley Cooper and DeSean Jackson celebrate Coopers touchdown catch against the Giants. Early in spring training his first season, Wright missed five passes in a row. Most people don't remember my college career, and I thought I had done quite well. Don Shula, a coach who appeared to have a flair for the dramatics, claimed that the dance move was a potential bombshell after he got what was described as Fun Bunched.. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Published in the February 2018 issue of I remember when I started, I couldnt even spell electrical engineering.. Recent on-field antics have included a simulated 100-meter relay; rousing games of Leap Frog and Hide-and-Seek; a potato sack race; and, yes, Duck, Duck, Goose. I was always aware we were student-athletes, Elmo stated this week. It felt so good, I decided to keep doing it. January 30, 2018 In my sophomore year in college at Houston, I was throwing the ball down in the end zone. Sammy Winder did the "Mississippi Mud Walk" maneuver in the 1980's (DenverBroncos QBClub/Twitter). | We are giving it for Elmo Wright former Kansas City Chief for his contribution to NFL culture in this Who is the "Father" of the End-Zone dance? Billy White Shoes Johnson was known for two things: his blindingly white shoes and his Funky Chicken touchdown dance. Put yourself in a receivers shoes. Im blown away with this, Wright, 72, said. Wright still holds several school records including yards per catch for a season (27.9 1968), yards per catch for a career (21.9), and most games over 200 yards receiving (four). No one was doing that at the time, but I later found out that Homer Jones was doing it in the pros. GoCoogs.com is not associated with, authorized, or endorsed by the University of Houston or UH Athletics. During an era when Houston ranked among the nations leaders in rushing, Elmo Wright managed to leave his mark as a receiver, said Steve Hatchell, the NFF president and CEO. At UH, Wright was a three-time All-America selection from 1968-70, including a consensus choice as a senior. WebIn the NFL, endzone dances are often performed after a touchdown has been scored by a team. She is an Epidemiologist with a focus on the intersection between sports and science. I trained very hard to get ready for that game. It all started rather innocently. Southern states were less receptive to his celebrations than other locations. He decided he should continue high stepping both faster and higher that was how the first touchdown dance was born. By I looked at it and was thinking, Wheres my finger? Yeoman said, Get him off the field! I said, No, Im not getting off the field until I find my finger., Unable to catch the ball with his finger wrapped during the summer, Wright said he ran, ran and ran.. While this was no comparison to the antics later displayed by such famed celebrators as Billy \"White Shoes\" Johnson, Ickey Woods or Terrell Owens, it was almost equally shocking at the time. At the park, Elmo begins welcoming the viewer, but is then tackled by Zoe, whos been practicing a dance Rocco made up, which Elmo finds hard to believe. Zoe shows Elmo the first part of the dance, which hooks him in. However, Rocco doesnt believe Elmo can do it, so Elmo proves it by doing the dance with Zoe. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. However, the two dances were often combined to justify rules limiting what was usually good, clean fun. Same, guys, same. They forget that I had 27, 29 yards per reception. The NFL tried to fine him for that too but had to backtrack on their bull crap. In three seasons, Wright produced 153 catches for 3,347 yards. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Ive had people tell me, Why do you dance? I said I cant imagine living life without having a reason to celebrate.. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Anyway, the N.C.A.A. record for touchdowns. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It's more of a celebration. It wasnt much, as dances go. A. Elmo Wright, 1970, The first person with an end zone celebration dance.(Yes,. WebI came across on and thought would find it interesting. It was the Civil Rights era, Elmo said. It was almost assumed that I was going to score a touchdown. The game and the marketing offset each other. I think about the University of Houston. Comedians were doing it, school aged children were doing it, youre parents probably did it. WebElmo Wright, Class: Induction: 2020 Sport(s): - Position: Wide Receiver Years: 1968-1970 Place of Birth: Brazoria, TX Date of Birth: July 3, 1949 Jersey Number: Elmo Wright, Elmo Wright remembers the phone call, even if he might have believed it was a case of the wrong number. You cant do stupid stuff. 509 Olive Way, Suite 305, Seattle, WA 98101, Elmo Wright Says Football Is Supposed to Be Fun, Mattress Mack Puts Massive Sum of Money Where Mouth Is. Once again, the NFL got cranky. 2023 Watch a video of him teaching Peyton Manning the Funky Chicken in 2019 here. It was entertainment., Wright is quick to point out that he was also a good wide receiver. Wright posted 3,347 yards and 34 touchdowns while playing for a rush-based veer offense, and was named an All-American. Jessica Lodge and Shelby Stewart, 02/02/2023 #FunkyChicken pic.twitter.com/jqQVtRFhtp, Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 27, 2016. Elmo Wright was apparently the first person to dance in the end zone. Johnson was inspired by the 1969 song Do the Funky Chicken. Billy loved the dance, the fans loved the dance, and the NFL did not love the dance. Considered by many to be the inventor of the end zone dance, Wright is a member of the University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. But Wright does enjoy being known as the father of the touchdown celebration, and hes glad to see the NFL allow it again. That was recognized as the beginning of what is now a craze in the N.F.L. I ran this pattern, Wright said, and just as the ball was coming, (the defender) pushed me into the ball, and it hit my finger. He becomes the fourth I said, They got it!, Elmo laughed. It feels so good. To make a long story short, on a little down-and-out pattern, I caught the ball and he dove at my feet. In 1969, Elmo Wright, an exuberant junior wide receiver for the University of Houston, started capping his touchdown receptions with celebratory moves. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. For more of my football history gems, look here and here. Manage Settings RIP Fred Lane we wish we could have seen more touchdown celebrations from you. Houston set an NCAA record in 1968 when its offense averaged 562 yards a game, beating the old record by 75 yards a game. These days, Wright says, he only dances occasionallymost recently at his daughters college graduation, and after learning his nephew had survived a health scare. In both NFL, and NCAA, excessive celebration, as well as taunting, are offenses that result in 15 yard penalties. Billy was always respectful with his moves he would avoid any hint of taunting by distancing himself from the opposing team before he started any celebrations. To show your emotions, you have to use your whole body., Wright says his own celebrations were always spontaneous. Meet the UH alum, former wide receiver, and creator of the end-zone dance. You have to turn and try to get open. I went back also to get my MBA. I couldnt believe that people expected me to dance, but forgot what I had to do before that: catch the ball and score a touchdown.. He brought his talents to the NFL in 1971, and we are all the better for it. It feels so good.. Individuality also wasnt appreciated in the game of football. The LA Rams took immediate offense to Marks moves and a brawl that lasted for minutes, with most players getting in on the action. Friends encouraged him to find an alternative, and he did one TD when he was high-stepping his way to the touchdown. In the end zone, I kept high-stepping. I studied electrical engineering, by the way. Close on his heels, Billy White Shoes Johnsons wild touchdown dances popularized the practice. made a rule saying you can't do it anymore. Who Did The First NFL Touchdown Celebration Dance?!? 509 Olive Way, Suite 305, Seattle, WA 98101Phone: 713-862-4570 Fax: 713-862-4606, By He was doing this intricate deal and he was looking down through a microscope, and once he finished the operation, he [and another doctor] did a little fistbump. I never really thought about dancing until I got into the end zone. Texans Get Their Man as DeMeco Ryans Returns to Houston, Five Things You Didnt Know About Houston Native Jalen Hurts. In 1969, Elmo Wright, an exuberant junior wide receiver for the University of Houston, started capping his touchdown receptions with celebratory moves. HOUSTON Houston, The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame announced Thursday that they will jointly honor 2020 College Football Hall of Fame electee Elmo Wright with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments. He, like everyone else on this list, would get fined anyway. Q. Press Esc to cancel. The team and Ickey loved his dance so much that they would clear a large enough area on the sideline for him to shuffle to his hearts content. Back then at my high school, you were either in the band or on the football team. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Thats a guy that clearly wanted to get into the end zone and dance, Wright says, adding that its all about self-expression. You dont know whether the ball is coming to you or not. I would not trust my child's dance education with anyonemore, Amna Dance is the best dance studio and I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking intomore, My husband was happy with the price so I knew he would be onboard with the new dance studio.more, Inversion Dance Studios is by far an excellent pole dance studio I've had the pleasure of going tomore, This isn't just any Dance Studio, they have a curriculum with great foundation on the fundamentalsmore, If you are considering signing up at this dance studio JUST DO IT! You dont have to be a sports fan to feel the emotions and celebration of a really good end zone dance. Didnt know that would be the last time.. This week, he said all he wanted to do was score touchdowns and celebrate them. The history of controversial touchdown celebrations will be discussed today we will boot scootin boogie our way through the dances that set the stage for our touchdown tangos today. 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