Touchdown celebrations ‘blown out of proportion’: Goltz

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This article was published 04/09/2013 (4409 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The team is 1-8 and has lost seven games in a row, but for all the urgency surrounding the current Winnipeg Blue Bombers situation the biggest issue after practice today was their quarterback’s touchdown celebrations.

Bombers QB Justin Goltz emerged from the practice field at Investors Group Field this afternoon and lit into the media for “overblowing” a pair of touchdown celebrations he did in his team’s loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday in Regina.

But at the urging of head coach Tim Burke, Goltz has also agreed to suspend his post score celebrations.

“I think it was blown out of proportion. It’s another media thing. The fact we’re still talking about it a couple days later means it was a distraction so I can clean that up just by not doing it anymore,” said Goltz.

It’s the second time in recent weeks that Goltz has accused the media of overblowing something — he also said last week that the media made too much of his comment a few weeks ago that he felt “betrayed” by the club when his starting duties were yanked.

So, are the media picking on you Justin?

“I think you guys like to pick on me is what it seems like,” replied Goltz.

“I think you guys take something small and like to make a story out of it and produce a headline. Is that far-fetched?”

Goltz has received some criticism, particularly in Regina, for his post TD routine of pretending to adjust his tie, which included on Sunday a twist that included a reference to the post-TD celebration of Saskatchewan tailback Kory Sheets.

But while Goltz was singling out the media, Burke made it clear today that he also had issues with Goltz’s celebrations.

“I don’t believe in it. I don’t believe in any of that crap. Celebrate with your teammates. What happened to sporstmanship?,” said Burke.

But Burke also defended Goltz however and said he thought the issue was being overblown given all the TD celebrations elsewhere in the league. And he also pointed out the fans in Regina on Sunday were not exactly sitting on their hands all game.

“Its the pot calling the kettle black,” said Burke. “Where was the game played? What were their fans doing? They were extending… I will let (media relations director) Darren (Cameron) tell you. I definitely don’t want to show you.”

Goltz also referred to a double standard about TD celebrations.

“The CFL is a league where guys celebrate touchdowns. I didn’t think it would be a big deal if I did as well. But the criticism comes because we haven’t won games and this comes with the territority….

“It’s just annoying that I have to explain myself why I’ve been doing a celebration that I did all year. It was just at a bad time, I guess. Or you’re not allowed to celebrate in Saskatchewan.”

Field notes… Goltz will start for the second game in a row this Sunday in the Banjo Bowl at Investors Group Field, Burke said… Burke said injured offensive lineman Andre Douglas (hamstring) and returner Aaron Woods (foot) will be “out a long time”… Injured receiver Jade Etienne (head) has been cleared to practice on Thursday… The Bombers signed QB Levi Brown to their practice roster in part on the recommendation of his former coaches in Saskatchewan, Burke said… The Bombers will wear their 1980’s vintage royal blue uniforms on Sunday in the Banjo Bowl… RB Chad Simpson missed practice on Sunday to fly home to see his newborn son. He is expected back for practice on Thursday… The Bombers will announce on Thursday that they have signed OL Colt Schulte… Buck Pierce is still injured and will not dress this Sunday, said Burke.