The 2016 NFL season saw noticeable drops in television viewership and increasing hostility from fans regarding the over-regulation of the players celebrations. Guys couldn’t get excited about anything on the field without seeing a flag and a fine for it, taking their “No Fun League” reputation to an entirely new level.
So this year, Roger Goodell and his merry band of fuddy-duddy rule-makers decided to rescind a few of their more egregious restrictions on celebrations. Players are now free to return to group celebrations & demonstrations, using the ball as prop after TDs and going to ground – which includes making snow angels.