Sports

Arland Bruce Michael Jackson Tribute in CFL End Zone Celebration

by Jon Azpiri | July 2, 2009 at 09:55 am

1217 views | 2 Recommendations | 2 comments

Toronto Argonauts wide receiver Arland Bruce III "paid tribute" to the late Michael Jackson with an end zone celebration during the opening day of the Canadian Football League.

After catching a 21-yard TD pass against the Hamilton Tiger Cats, Bruce ripped off his helmet and pads, fell to the ground and played dead, presumably in honor of Jackson's passing. Bruce received two objectionable-conduct penalties on the play.

In general, the CFL is much more lenient than the NFL with regards to end zone celebrations. It's not unusual for several players to dance and celebrate after touchdowns, something that is strictly forbidden in the NFL.

Bruce's celebration, however, appears to have crossed a line and his coach Bart Andrus has promised he'll tone it down.

"I made the mistake of telling him in camp that once he got to the end zone I didn't care what he did," Toronto coach Bart Andrus said after the game.

"But he's straight with it now, and I think next time around he will celebrate in an appropriate manner."

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mr. mature (not verified)

at 11:34 on July 2nd, 2009

this is super amazing. spiderman/now m.j. absolutely Tremendous

Chris Edwards (not verified)

at 15:29 on July 3rd, 2009

As a real Michael Jackson impersonator and pro football hopeful, I would have wished I had made the CFL so I could have done the tribute properly, lets say, with all 12 moonwalks, a kick and a spin...

WFTV Orlando - Sports on 9 - Chris Edwards: Working On A Dream -38-year-old punter/quarterback looks for his place in pro football http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNoUPXXsDm4