What Grinds My Gears. - CBSSports.com Message Boards, Blogs and Groups

As they do every year, the NFL Rules commission is meeting in West Palm Beach for the NFL Spring Meetings discussing potential new rules for the 2008 season. Mostly the decisions are voted on by the owners, as far as I know. This year, they have so far approved a rule that will completely eliminate rulings of force outs, unless the receiver is actually carried out of bounds. I like this new rule and believe a defender should have the right to force a receiver out of bounds. The owners also have approved a communication device to be installed in one of a defensive players helmet, surprisingly by just one vote. Why any owner would oppose a rule that would help communication between defensive staff and personnel, I have absolutely no clue.

On the other hand, they are walking some SUPER fine lines with the discussion of banning hair sticking out of helmets. So far this new rule has been tabled for later discussion. I have absolutely no idea why these guys would have the brass to even think about a rule that would create an obvious civil rights dilemma. It is no secret that although there are some white athletes that have long hair that sticks out of their helmet, it is obvious which demographic the owners are targeting at this point. Over the last 5-7 years there has been an increasing popularity for black athletes to have long dreads or braids. While there are many sophisticated and intellectual men with dreads/braids, there are too many people that see this hair style as a style reserved for thugs, scumbags, and Pac Man Jones. I know this first hand by simply sitting at a Rams game and hearing the remarks many middle aged white fans have made towards the all-pro running back.

I am not saying that the owners are trying to outlaw this hairstyle because of their racist and prejudice inhibitions. I am just saying that they are walking a VERY FINE LINE and that they should maybe rethink this one and save us one more racial debacle.

What are your thoughts on this potential rule and the others that will be implemented in 2008?

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?

CowboyB = =

Great blog topic. . . . Excellent responses in return from what I've read thus far.   Do I have a preference...No.

I can see where the NFL wants to protect the players from the players . . . . . . . . but they seem to be moving into a very very grey area. When you start infringing on personal preferences that don't fall under the "GAME"; I think the NFL is asking for trouble. Where does it stop..?? Does the NFL attempt to control facial hair also.... will they soon be setting how much hair a player has on his legs, too..??

I've seen players dragged down by their locks. Geeze, that must hurt. If a players wishes to allow his hair to grow, the player should be allowed to do so, but at the same time he should be prepared to accept the consequences. Does the hair become part of the uniform..?? I don't know, and I don't care..... it's not me down there on that field. The way I see it, something like this will self-police eventually. It might take some time, but I think control will prevail.... whether the "pullers" win out, or the "growers" win out.   Maybe the fad will just fade away.

The NFL PUT face masks on helmets. . . and therefore the NFL has to have rules to protect the players regarding face masks.   The same thing for pads.   The NFL DID NOT put hair on players that sticks out from under helmets...therefore the NFL should avoid this whole situation.    No matter what the NFL comes-up with, 50% of the people will support them and 50% will oppose them.

Talk about Pandora's Box.... ....    ....

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?

Thanks for your input DG. I am glad you took my blog for what it was worth. I am not crying racist, I am just noting that plenty will, and arguably so. The point is, and many of you have made them. They have been able to have the long hair before there was an issue of hair getting pulled. There haven't been any players creating storms about having to tackle guys by their hair, and if one doesn't like it to be pulled so much, all they have to do is cut it off. But for the NFL to step in and make a decision that would force many to change their own physical appearance, is wrong. Especially when that decision is coming from the owners who have their utmost interest in the APPEARANCE of their franchise.

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?

Two things folks...

1. There is definitely a undercurrent of maybe not so much of racism itself but fear of 'thuggery' per say and the image it could bring.
I call it like I see it. Chris Henry, Pac-Man Jones, Tank Johnson, Mike Vick all had long locks and all acted like fools and ran afoul of the law. And what did they all do afterwards?? Cut that stuff right off. Perception is reality.

They were all high-profile players that had their mugs plaster on every sports rag, and episode of ESPN etc during the debacles. This WAS embarassing to the NFL. Period.

Now there were other players who were getting in trouble, at the same time i.e. numerous other Bengals who were white and had short hair. Hell, even some coaches drew unseemingly attention to themselves when they're children ran wild. (Andy Reid), however, the problem as I see it was that unfortunately the black players drew alot more press. Fair? Probably not. But perception is reality...I know I hate that saying too. But if every time you turned around and there happens to be an NFL player in trouble and low and behold they have long locks and dreads....well you do the math. Long hair starts to get unfairly associated with bad behaviors. No one ever looks at the players doing good and being responsible who happen to have long hair. We graviate to the train wreck. The media directly or indirectly fans the flames. Now we have some corporate '"suits" say...dress code, dress code! Make them cut the hair!

Ignorant thinking if you ask me. Heck, Chris Henry is in trouble again....and he's been sporting a fade for 2 years now.

It happened in the NBA. They said it was done to "bring professionalism to the game..it's a business you know."

The NFL has chosen to hide behind "safety and rules", blah, blah...

2. Maybe...just maybe...maybe it is a business move. After all, our employers can tell us to shave and cut our hair, not wear earrings etc...via company policies if they want. If you think about the NFL is pretty liberal on such matters. It no secret that they strictly control they're product and go to ridiclous lengths sometimes to tighten up the marketing package. i.e. shoe colors, socks lengths, stickers on helmets, etc...maybe, just maybe...it is a business move. They say Goodell has talked to David Stern (NBA Commish) several times, perhaps he's copying some NBA moves?

dgmichel Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 22, 2008	Posted on: April 3, 2008 4:11 pm Score: 85 NFL Rules Walking Fine Line? CowboyB = = Great blog topic. . . . Excellent responses in return from what I've read thus far. Do I have a preference...No. I can see where the NFL wants to protect the players from the players . . . . . . . . but they seem to be moving into a very very grey area. When you start infringing on personal preferences that don't fall under the "GAME"; I think the NFL is asking for trouble. Where does it stop..?? Does the NFL attempt to control facial hair also.... will they soon be setting how much hair a player has on his legs, too..?? I've seen players dragged down by their locks. Geeze, that must hurt. If a players wishes to allow his hair to grow, the player should be allowed to do so, but at the same time he should be prepared to accept the consequences. Does the hair become part of the uniform..?? I don't know, and I don't care..... it's not me down there on that field. The way I see it, something like this will self-police eventually. It might take some time, but I think control will prevail.... whether the "pullers" win out, or the "growers" win out. Maybe the fad will just fade away. The NFL PUT face masks on helmets. . . and therefore the NFL has to have rules to protect the players regarding face masks. The same thing for pads. The NFL DID NOT put hair on players that sticks out from under helmets...therefore the NFL should avoid this whole situation. No matter what the NFL comes-up with, 50% of the people will support them and 50% will oppose them. Talk about Pandora's Box.... .... .... [ Reply to Comment ]
CowboyB Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 7, 2006	Posted on: April 3, 2008 9:15 pm Score: 95 NFL Rules Walking Fine Line? Thanks for your input DG. I am glad you took my blog for what it was worth. I am not crying racist, I am just noting that plenty will, and arguably so. The point is, and many of you have made them. They have been able to have the long hair before there was an issue of hair getting pulled. There haven't been any players creating storms about having to tackle guys by their hair, and if one doesn't like it to be pulled so much, all they have to do is cut it off. But for the NFL to step in and make a decision that would force many to change their own physical appearance, is wrong. Especially when that decision is coming from the owners who have their utmost interest in the APPEARANCE of their franchise. [ Reply to Comment ]
the Departed Reputation: 71 Level: Pro Since: Jan 20, 2008	Posted on: April 3, 2008 10:19 pm Score: 85 NFL Rules Walking Fine Line? Two things folks... 1. There is definitely a undercurrent of maybe not so much of racism itself but fear of 'thuggery' per say and the image it could bring. I call it like I see it. Chris Henry, Pac-Man Jones, Tank Johnson, Mike Vick all had long locks and all acted like fools and ran afoul of the law. And what did they all do afterwards?? Cut that stuff right off. Perception is reality. They were all high-profile players that had their mugs plaster on every sports rag, and episode of ESPN etc during the debacles. This WAS embarassing to the NFL. Period. Now there were other players who were getting in trouble, at the same time i.e. numerous other Bengals who were white and had short hair. Hell, even some coaches drew unseemingly attention to themselves when they're children ran wild. (Andy Reid), however, the problem as I see it was that unfortunately the black players drew alot more press. Fair? Probably not. But perception is reality...I know I hate that saying too. But if every time you turned around and there happens to be an NFL player in trouble and low and behold they have long locks and dreads....well you do the math. Long hair starts to get unfairly associated with bad behaviors. No one ever looks at the players doing good and being responsible who happen to have long hair. We graviate to the train wreck. The media directly or indirectly fans the flames. Now we have some corporate '"suits" say...dress code, dress code! Make them cut the hair! Ignorant thinking if you ask me. Heck, Chris Henry is in trouble again....and he's been sporting a fade for 2 years now. It happened in the NBA. They said it was done to "bring professionalism to the game..it's a business you know." The NFL has chosen to hide behind "safety and rules", blah, blah... 2. Maybe...just maybe...maybe it is a business move. After all, our employers can tell us to shave and cut our hair, not wear earrings etc...via company policies if they want. If you think about the NFL is pretty liberal on such matters. It no secret that they strictly control they're product and go to ridiclous lengths sometimes to tighten up the marketing package. i.e. shoe colors, socks lengths, stickers on helmets, etc...maybe, just maybe...it is a business move. They say Goodell has talked to David Stern (NBA Commish) several times, perhaps he's copying some NBA moves? [ Reply to Comment ]
Venom1971 Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 25, 2008