NFL teams
Matt Ehalt, ESPN New York contributor 11y

David Wilson done with backflips

NFL, New York Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- David Wilson has flipped his stance on his touchdown celebration.

The New York Giants rookie running back said Friday on ESPN that he will no longer use his backflip celebration after scoring touchdowns. Wilson has four touchdowns this season, including three last Sunday in the Giants' 52-27 win over New Orleans.

"I think it's for the team's best interests," Wilson said. "I don't want to make anyone upset or nervous or scared. I want to do something that people enjoy rather than worry about."

Wilson's backflips became a national story after his breakout game against the Saints. He returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score, and added two rushing touchdowns. Wilson finished the day by setting the team's all-purpose yards record with 327, and was named the NFC special teams player of the week.

Justin Tuck said Wednesday that he told Wilson to never do the backflip again because he worries the rookie could injure himself while trying to impress the crowd.

Wilson added that Giants general manager Jerry Reese hasn't told him to stop, but he would unleash on Wilson if he injured himself doing a backflip. Coach Tom Coughlin wouldn't talk about the backflips.

"For me, it's not that hard. It's just as easy as running. I've been doing it almost the same amount of time as I've been running. I've been doing it since I was 3 years old. Started flipping and kept doing it," Wilson said. "Now it's almost second-nature. A lot of fans get nervous when I do it and the coaches and teammates, but they fail to realize how easy it is for me."

Wilson rarely had the chance to backflip earlier in the season. He found himself in Coughlin's doghouse after fumbling on just the second carry of his career in the opener against Dallas. In the next four games, Wilson carried the ball a grand total of six times, and he had just 18 carries through the first 10 games.

Heading into Sunday's game against Atlanta, Wilson is in line to start. Ahmad Bradshaw, with a sprained knee and foot issues, will not play.

Wilson shined in his first opportunity with extensive work against the Saints, tallying 100 yards on 13 carries, albeit against the league's worst rush defense.

"On the field, ever since that fumble, I've been regaining the coaches' trust and trying to do all the right things," Wilson said. "Going to practice and executing my assignments and when I'm in the game trying to take advantage of the opportunities that I have. I had success and the coaches feel a little bit more confident giving me the ball and putting me in the game. I'm ready to roll."

As he gets rid of the backflip, Wilson will have to come up with a new way to celebrate his touchdowns. For some, like quarterback Eli Manning, there were no problems with the backflips because that meant the rookie was scoring touchdowns and helping the Giants in these crucial games.

Wilson is focused more on putting up six on the board before he finds his new go-to move.

"First thing is just get in the end zone," Wilson said. "I haven't really thought of a dance or anything, something to celebrate. Maybe it will be spontaneous. The main thing is just get in the end zone first."

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