Making a gesture towards the crowd is supposed to be called for the penalty. The official did his job, the player did not. Turn and hand the ball to the ref and nothing happens.
I hate that celebration crap as much as I hate the Roll Tide commercials ESPN plays over and over and over and over. As jliehr said, Turn and hand the ball to the ref and nothing happens. It is just that simple.
How does a player NOT get excited after scoring a TD in the final minute to give his team a chance to tie. This is competitive sports.
Guys like Walter Paton, Jerry Rice, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Barry Sanders and so many others seemed to be able to pull it off on a consistant basis. The last things any sport needs are more Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, and other like them.
Saluting to the crowd isn't anything remotely like what Ochocinco and TO would do in their heyday.
The kid did nothing wrong. Plain and simple. He didn't take a cheerleader's pompoms, or pull out a sharpie and sign the ball, or pour popcorn into his helmet, or do an elaborate dance...
Come on with that nonsense.