Scholarship table
A common sense approach to this (instead of zero tolerance) would be easy. Personal statements that don't stray into politics.
What is the purpose of the NFL?When has the NFL ever violated its own uniform code?
That's cute and all, but the question remains, do you really want the NFL legislating acceptable uniform code violations on a case by case basis?
According to whom? Who's definition of politics?
Every time they tell players to wear pink socks.
Chico's did not claim he heard them say " just so I could sleep with their players"; he said they "want to catch a guy". Huge difference. Never specifically mentioned players, and "catching a guy" usually means "finding a serious relationship", not answering booty calls. As a professional sports team cheerleader, I am sure you meet a lot of men you wouldn't normally meet, including those fans in the front rows.
The rules already allow for this.From the NFL Rule Book:PERSONAL MESSAGES Article 8Throughout the period on game-day that a player is vis ible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office. http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/8_Rule5_Players_Subs_Equip_GeneralRules.pdfThe rules also specifically ban political messages.
Really it's not that hard. The NBA allows personal messages on shoes. Even touts it online. They don't seem to have a problem.
That's great for the NBA. The NFL doesn't agree. They seem to be doing just fine. To that point, there is a real easy solution for those folks who don't like the way the NFL conducts its business, or those who feel the for-profit business is too profit driven. Of course it's much easier and more fun on Sunday's to just bitch about it instead.
So what's the problem? Did Deangelo Williams seek pre-approval? I don't know? Do you?
Even if he did, what happens if they say yes to him, but no to someone else who wants to display some other message they think should be ok, even though you and the league may disagree?
I'll ask again, would you condemn the NFL in the same way if they fined Tebow for writing "Pro Life" on his eye black?
It's very possible that the league office just rejects all requests. Several years ago, Peyton Manning requested to wear black high tops to honor Johnny Unitas after he died, but the league rejected it. A franchise's greatest QB paying tribute to its second-greatest QB is about as non-controversial as it gets but the league still said no.
"Catch a guy" in modern vernacular equates to a previous generations "baby momma". Kayne even wrote a song about it and half of VH1s evening programming is dedicated to reality shows in which women from various pursuits in life had occasion to meet a rich athlete and "catch" them. So if by serious relationship, you mean that, then yes "catch a guy" refers to a serious relationship.
No, they do grant requests.Just rarely and haphazardly.
Who has been granted a request?
William Gay.He was fined for his purple cleats last year. Allowed to wear them this year.
Nope. He was just fined for them this week.
Clearly the NFL is doing fine. That wasn't up for debate.What we were talking about was exceptions to the uniform code and poor PR decisions that come from its enforcement.
And aside from giving people something to complain about, what is the impact from those "poor PR decisions," financial or otherwise?
Ah, I'm sorry, I had thought I was on an internet message board where things like poor PR management could be discussed. I clearly stumbled into the part of the internet where pointing out poor decisions doesn't belong.My apologizes good sir.
My bigger question is why do you care about those poor decisions? Who has been negatively affected in any way by the deangleo Williams thing (remember, he made the choice to do it, knowing he would be fined)? What is the negative impact on you or anyone else, that makes you qualified to deem them poor decisions?If the NFL feels they are avoiding future issues, and ultimately protecting their brand, their on-field product and their revenue streams, are they really poor decisions? You can certainly say you don't like it, and I might even agree with you. You can bitch about it, but unless you can show me some sort of tangible negative impact on someone or some thing, the NFL's position on this is pretty easy to defend.