How the 'T-Mo spike' became the Panthers' touchdown celebration

[Sir Purr]

That mindset isn't an accident since it's why elite athletes even become professionals. But football players know how hard it is to score in the first place, so celebrating is essential.


"I'm pretty sure a lot of guys have been a part of games where they might not have scored a touchdown at all. So whenever you can touch the paint, it's a reward for an entire offense, an entire team — how hard you've worked each drive," quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said. "It's refreshing to see the guys celebrate, have fun, smile, get to find out who can dance, who can't, who can spike the ball, who can't."


But the Panthers aren't really finding out who else can spike aside from Moton. He isn't selfish about it, saying, "If anyone else gets the ball before me, they're all more than welcome. I'll be over there celebrating with them."


But as Little said, "T-Mo got the first spike, so we just give it to T-Mo."


It's fitting that Moton represents the offensive line when the team celebrates. Though seven games, he's the only player besides Bridgewater to have been on the field for all 446 of Carolina's offensive snaps.


"We talk about playing for one another, and T-Mo spiking the ball is just our guys who score touchdowns recognizing that there are other guys who made this happen," Bridgewater said. "We like seeing T-Mo spike the ball. Those guys get a kick out of it.


"We talk about all 11 guys getting credit, so ultimately T-Mo spiking the ball is our way of showing all 11 guys receiving credit."


Head coach Matt Rhule admitted he's more old school, someone who would hand the ball to the official and run back to the sideline in most situations. But he approves of the T-Mo spike.


"I want us to have joy, but the most important thing I want us to do is be a team," Rhule said. "Having joy and celebrating together is really the key. So I think it's pretty cool to recognize the fact that the offensive line is a major part of any success that we have, and I think Teddy said it really well."


So as long as the Panthers keep scoring, they'll keep handing the ball to Moton to put an exclamation point on each touchdown.


"I enjoy it now. It's definitely fun," Moton said. "I'm just happy we got in the end zone at the end of the day."