The National Football League is trying to save face again. From allegations of bullying in locker rooms to aspiring professional athletes’ ‘coming out’ about their sexuality and now the NFL’s planned 15 yard penalty rule for players’ use of The N Word; the NFL looks as if it’ trying change its culture. But the league is overreacting with this proposed N Word rule and the message is twisted.
This rule isn’t official yet, but it’s set to be voted on by NFL owners. If passed, the term ‘nigga’ said during the game by a player, would be a 15 yard penalty. That’s right. Picture Ed Hochuli saying, “unsportsmanlike conduct. Offense. Number 12. Usage of the N word. By rule, it is a 15 yard penalty. First Down…” My question is; so what is the NFL really saying? And who are they really saying it to?
Look, I get it. In the wake of Miami Dolphins locker room fiasco and the report that followed, the league is making a push to ‘better their work environment.’ The report detailed verbal abuse among players, that’s actually pretty common in some locker rooms whether it’s pro, college or high school.
But seriously, what is the NFL saying all of a sudden with the 15 yard penalty for usage of The N Word? Is the league saying that African-American players can’t say that word? Because we know outside of the Riley Cooper incident (which wasn’t on the field of play or at a league event), this hasn’t been an issue. I’ve never heard of African-American players complaining about the use of The N Word in the NFL. The only thing that happened for The N Word to even be an issue as of late, to my recollection, was around this whole Miami Dolphin’s Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin situation.
So is this the NFL’s knee jerk reaction to police ‘football culture? You know, the guys only, cavalier-like way of the locker room? Or is it just to police the ‘niggas’ and the culture they bring into the locker room? Why just The N Word? Why not ban cursing? Why don’t they fine a player the next time one’s wife or mother is disrespected? What about when Tom Brady yells at his lineman? I’m saying, really? So I wonder which race of players will get this penalty called on them the most? Go figure…
For what it’s worth, The NFL has the right to police its work place. It’s a job and all jobs have workplace rules and etiquette. The NFL has the right to set a standard. But I thought the problem was around bullying in the locker room not The N Word. But again, why act now and why just The N Word? What’s next, no rap music in the locker room unless it’s in your headphones?
The term ‘nigga’ is constantly up for debate, just like religion, politics and abortion. Where you sit on this subject probably depends on your race, demographics, where you’re from and age. But the NFL needs to let the players, the 70% whom are African-American, initiate and vote on this new rule. Not the 100% white ownership and commissioner. I would love to be the fly on the wall in this owners meeting. In my Chris Berman voice, ‘NFL…C’MON MAN!’
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
