Banned Zone

By Harriet Barovick, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Mitch Frank, Daniel Levy, Michele Orecklin, Alice Park, Desa Philadelphia, Hope Reeves and Owen Thomas

CUTTHROAT In an effort to shut out unsportsmanlike taunting, the NFL sent letters to team owners last week banning the latest form of players' celebration--drawing a hand across the throat after stuffing the other team. The offending move, shown by the Packers' Brett Favre (1), among others, is hardly the first. Every few years, the league clamps down on what it considers over-the-top, nasty player displays. Here are a few of the infamous:

THE MOVE Lambeau Leap (2)

THE ARTIST Any agile Green Bay Packer

THE STEPS Take a flying leap into the first row of Cheesehead fans

BANNED? Still legal, despite lack of scoring lately

[THE MOVE] Ickey Shuffle (3)

[THE ARTIST] Cincinnati Bengals' Ickey Woods

[THE STEPS] Shuffle from side to side, passing the ball from hand to hand

[BANNED?] In '91, as "unprofessional demonstration"

[THE MOVE] Sack Dance (4)

[THE ARTIST] N.Y. Jets' Mark Gastineau

[THE STEPS] Begin berserk prancing, stomping and chest beating

[BANNED?] In '84, as unsportsmanlike taunting

[THE MOVE] The Fun Bunch (5)

[THE ARTIST] Washington Redskins' wide receivers

[THE STEPS] Post-touchdown, receivers gather for a mass high-five

[BANNED?] In '84, as premeditated celebration