The leap began against the Los Angeles Raiders when LeRoy Butler scored a defensive touchdown and jumped into the stands. If that hadn't happened, I never would have become a football player. Southern states were less receptive to his celebrations than other locations. That's the consequence of this. What are the best dance studios that offer virtual classes? Kansas City Chiefs first-round draft picks, "Father of End-Zone Dance Explains His Happy Feet", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elmo_Wright&oldid=1083873817, Alumni of George Washington Carver High School (Sweeny, Texas), American football wide receiver, 1940s birth stubs, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox templates with no data rows, NFL player missing current team parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 April 2022, at 07:35. Wright, still the Houston leader in career receiving yards (3,347), kept on dancing during a six-year N.F.L. 509 Olive Way, Suite 305, Seattle, WA 98101Phone: 713-862-4570 Fax: 713-862-4606, By The 1970s were characterized in the NFL dancing realm by the antics of Billy "White Shoes" Johnson.According to the ESPN documentary in the video, Johnson got the snowball rolling in terms of dances in the end zone.Fans enjoyed seeing "White Shoes" break big plays and finish it off with a "chicken dance." These are the best dance studios that offer virtual classes in Brea, CA: People also liked: dance studios for kids. 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 was almost assumed that I was going to score a touchdown. Its more of a drum majors move, reallysomething you do while the marching band is murdering Earth, Wind & Fire. The dance has gone beyond the game, Elmo went on. Billy White Shoes Johnson was known for two things: his blindingly white shoes and his Funky Chicken touchdown dance. I got to the sidelines and my teammates were saying to me, "I can't believe you danced." Elmo Wright, the man who invented the end-zone dance. Elmo Wright (born July 3, 1949) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Who Did The First NFL Touchdown Celebration Dance?!? Wright earned all-state twice in his last two years of high school, and later all-American as a collegian when the entertainer surfaced again with the creation of the end-zone dance. Group, a Graham Holdings Company. A. In a year that saw a lot of creativity in the end zone, this was the celebration that would be named the best of the season in a survey of NFL players. Wikipedia Q. You have to turn and try to get open. How do you forget the high-stepping celebrations? Elmo Wright was an entertainer at heart. He brought his talents to the NFL in 1971, and we are all the better for it. Its clear neither football great has the best knee joint mobility these days. But, perhaps most remarkable, while the Veer was breaking records, Wright finished with 100 yards in 15 of the 32 college games he played. If you do all that, and you finally get into the end zoneis that not worth a celebration?. That was stupid.. GoCoogs.com is not associated with, authorized, or endorsed by the University of Houston or UH Athletics. Mark Gastineau instigated a brawl of monumental proportions when he did what can be loosely interpreted as a dance post-sack. Just last week Texans GM Nick Caserio was deflecting rumors of a possible departure. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I've accomplished a lot in my life, but what happened two seconds after I got into the end zone is what defines my career. Elmo had 7 catches for 262 yards and 4 TDs vs. Wyoming in 1969 / The Houstonian Julie Miller has been a writer at Gridiron Heroics since July of 2022. After only a handful of seasons, he returned to UH to get his MBA, then went on to serve as chief of staff for former Harris County Commissioner Jim Fonteno for more than two decades before retiring. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Then there was Michael Irvin with the Zorro dance. By Elmo Wright was apparently the first person to dance in the end zone. Wanting to do a dance is an inducement and a motivation to train harder and focus. I'm older now, so I have a broader perspective. A choreography was developed, and another cultural sensation was born. I never really thought about dancing until I got into the end zone, Wright says, adding, If you can imagine 60,000 people cheering. | We are giving it for Elmo Wright former Kansas City Chief for his contribution to NFL culture in this So I quit and joined the football team. Elmo Wright During his sophomore season in 1968, Wright took to slamming the ball to the ground. That was You dont have to be a sports fan to feel the emotions and celebration of a really good end zone dance. One day after band practice, someone threw a football at me and it hit me in the mouth and busted my lip. Ive had people tell me, why do you dance? I said I cant imagine living in life without having a reason to celebrate. Another was future NFL head coach Wade Phillips. Friends encouraged him to find an alternative, and he did one TD when he was high-stepping his way to the touchdown. 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Even when their teammate returned the following year, the Fun Bunch couldnt stop it was too popular at that point. Because I danced so often, he says, I got to be known as the guy who created the end-zone dance and not a pretty good football player.. The finger had been disjointed. Years ago, I felt that way, that I had created a monster. After his NFL career was cut short by injuries, he came back to the University of Houston and received his degree in 1975 and then an MBA in 1985. In his final remarks before his enshrinement, Elmo thanked his family, teammates, QB Ken Bailey, and coach. In both NFL, and NCAA, excessive celebration, as well as taunting, are offenses that result in 15 yard penalties. What are the best dance studios for kids? With the help of the same critical teammate, Woods was able to perfect his shuffle. 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. In the recently dropped Homicide bride series, Fred Lanes infamous crotch grab touchdown celebration inspired the writing of this article. Early in spring training his first season, Wright missed five passes in a row. It felt so good, I decided to keep doing it. Great dance teachers,verymore. At that moment, back in Houston, another UH alum was no doubt smiling: 68-year-old Elmo Wright, All-American wide receiver for the Cougars back in the late 60s, NFL player in the 70s, and the man who invented this mini art form. It feels so good. 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. Can you imagine living without something worth celebrating? he asks. 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. I trained very hard to get ready for that game, Wright told the interviewer. 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.. This biographical article relating to an American football wide receiver born in the 1940s is a stub. It felt so good that I had scored that I did an accelerated version of the high step. WebIn 1969, Elmo Wright, a junior wide receiver for the University of Houston, began celebrating his touchdown receptions with a 'celebratory' end zone dance. Ill walk you through a [play]. Conversely, Otis Taylor first had the great Chris Burford opposite him at WR for but 3 years, a fast but inconsistent Frank Pitts the next 3 (& Gloster Richardson occasionally) , then Elmo Wright (he of the td dance endzone owner of 6 in his entire 5-year mtier) until the end Otis career. THE BEST 10 Dance Studios in Brea, CA - Last Updated April His football credentials more than hold up, too. In our first game my junior year, I was going up against an all-American from Florida named Steve Tannen, and I was thinking he was going to embarrass me. 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!". A. After his football career, Wright returned to UH and earned his MBA. He currently covers college athletics, focusing on the University of Houston. When I started, I couldnt even spell electrical engineering, Wright joked. If I was going to be great, why not be great with a guy that is already doing something to help the community?, Yeoman once said of Wright: I cant imagine a better receiver than Elmo. That earned him a 15-yard penalty. He decided he should continue high stepping both faster and higher that was how the first touchdown dance was born. Wait, what? The Spike (pictured above, if you squint) came about when Homer was about to toss his game ball into the crowd post-touchdown but realized he would earn a harsh fine, so instead, he spiked it. This is a review for dance studios in Brea, CA: "Stagelight is such an amazing performing arts center! Its also the game where the end zone dance was born. These days, Wright says, he only dances occasionallymost recently at his daughters college graduation, and after learning his nephew had survived a health scare. I got to the sidelines and my teammates were saying to me, I cant believe you danced. It felt so good, I decided to keep doing it.. As the calendar turned toward a new decade, Chad Ochocinco gave way to another wide receiver diva in the field of touchdown celebrations.Steve Johnson of the Buffalo Bills has showcased numerous tactics that descended from Ochocinco, like the above "why so serious" shirt.Like Ochocinco, Johnson's wallet is a tad lighter as a result.As offenses are scoring more and more points because of defensive rule-changes in professional football, expect more of the same from the free-spirited scorers the NFL has to offer. #FunkyChicken pic.twitter.com/jqQVtRFhtp, Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 27, 2016. career that began with the Kansas City Chiefs. I think about my family. As well, some disliked the dancing because they viewed the sport almost like the militaryindividuality, they believed, should be discouraged. I saw him do that and I almost fell out of my chair. So, when I got into the end zone, I just accelerated the high step. The Slate Group LLC. When I saw him do that dance with his legs, I thought he had some real style. 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. No matter that the Eagles were effectively punished for the Giants penaltythat if New York hadnt been penalized, Philly wouldve had the ball 35 yards further down the field. He becomes the fourth Houston Cougar to be inducted, joining Bill Yeoman, Andre Ware, and Wilson Whitley. Wright recalls that refs didnt care for the spike; they always had to run for the ball. 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. That was recognized as the beginning of what is now a craze in the N.F.L. 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.. Elmo Wright Release Manager, DevOps, ProdOps United States. I was just so excited. In the season opener in 1970, NFL scouts from all over the country turned out to see Elmo play. All right, so I doubt DeSean Jackson had Bull Connors dogs on his mind when he flipped the ball to that Giants assistant. People remember the dance but they forget that I broke an NCAA record for touchdowns, Elmo lamented. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. AP file photo Elmo Wright led How do you forget all the yards, all the touchdowns, all the records Wright piled up even as he played in Bill Yeomans Veer offense? Homer Jones was the first to spike the ball instead of throwing it in the stands.#NFL #ElmoWright #HomerJones pic.twitter.com/1m2Ac3LlZ9, Derrick Pearson (@derrickpearson) April 8, 2020. Horn scored in a prime-time game in 2003, and followed it up by pulling his cell phone out of the upright and making a call. 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! Houstonia Magazine Who has the best dance in the N.F.L. (And I realize that not every end-zone flash mob draws an excessive celebration penalty.) Comedians were doing it, school aged children were doing it, youre parents probably did it. Episode 3: Elmo Wright - Sometimes You Just Gotta Dance Sports Connections with David Smale 29 subscribers Subscribe 12 Share 770 views 1 year ago Also, that nickname is fantastic. At UH, Wright was a three-time All-America selection from 1968-70, including a consensus choice as a senior. Died: Herb Lusk II: Praying Tailback Who Gave Up Footbal. I wasn't that good. He becomes the fourth Manage Settings But I understand what is going on in these players' minds. Elmo Wright's next dance could be into the College Football Hall of Fame. His coach told him he didnt care what he did as long as he got the TDs. Let him catch the ball! Wright recalled. If you can imagine 60,000 people cheering. years later: Texas vs. Houston, the wishbone In the first game of the next season, Wright faced off against Steve Tannen, a Florida defensive back known for his trash-talking. Some opposing players would intentionally get in the middle of the Fun Bunch to thwart their touchdown fun and instigate fights. Wright had a memorable incident with another player on the team, Floridas Steven Tannen. But oh, how he changed the game on one of those rare visits. WebElmo Wright. Elmo was living in Houston, having recently retired after working for Harris County for nearly three decades. I think about the University of Houston. While at the University of Houston, he became the first football player ever to perform an end zone dance.Wright was an All-American receiver for the Cougars and, somewhere during his collegiate career, he began the practice of \"high-stepping\" into the end zone at the end of long touchdown receptions. RIP Fred Lane we wish we could have seen more touchdown celebrations from you. Elmos the greatest Ive ever seen. He was the 16th overall pick by the NFLs Kansas City Chiefs. Football players have helmets, Wright says. I started high-stepping to get out of it. Stroud: Analyzing two pro days, Q&A with Texans chairman Cal McNair on GM, new coach and draft, Entering 2nd season, Jeremy Pea a celeb who doesn't act like one. Although the Super Bowl Shuffle was not technically a touchdown celebration, it was a celebration and also the most epic music video of all time. It was the Civil Rights era, Elmo said. Ive had people tell me, Why do you dance? I said I cant imagine living life without having a reason to celebrate.. People started booing me, Wright remembers. Asked how he became a prolific receiver in a run-dominated offense, Wright shared a story only he could tell. Theres no doubt hes one of the games finest all-around players.. When I went into the endzone, I was one happy camper, Elmo said with a smile during a National Football Foundation press conference Tuesday. I was always aware we were student-athletes, Elmo stated this week. Wright gave them the show they wanted to see he caught five balls for 154 yards and two scores. Induction into College Football Hall of Fame gives Elmo Wright One thing that got me: There was a doctorI think he was talking about something he had seen on TVdoing operations or medical work in poor countries. Most people don't remember my college career, and I thought I had done quite well. Put yourself in a receivers shoes. Angry pants Seattle Seahawks Ron Mattes chop-blocked Bruce Smith after Bruce did a little jig post-sack. It wasnt much, as dances go. 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. I had no idea. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. The Spike October 17th, 1965(NFL X Files/YouTube). To me, back then, scoring touchdowns its what it was, Elmo remarked with a smile. A first-round pick in the 1971 NFL draft, Wright played four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and split the 1975 season between the Houston Oilers and New England Patriots. Episode 3: Elmo Wright - Sometimes You Just Gotta Dance Elmo Wright debuted his dance in 1969 as a University of Houston Cougar. He brought his talents to the NFL in 1971, and we are all the better for it. Wright recalls that refs didnt care for the spike; they always had to run for the ball. To me, it was just a game, he says. You want stupid? 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,
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