NFL discussing 15 yard penalty for use of n-word

[JD_KaPow]

hmmm..........so if somebody hollars Commanders while playing the Skins......will that garner a 15 yd flag?

The 'Skins should get a 15-yard penalty to start every drive just for having that name.

I understand your sentiment, but as a fan myself, I do not want to see a situation where a game is decided by a player saying a banned word. Ultimately--and I realize the NFL is a private enterprise--I don't want to see any speech banned.

Agreed. Fine them, sure, just like they do for flipping off the crowd and other offensive acts. But I'd rather not have this have an effect on the game itself, and I'd really rather not put the refs in this kind of policing position.

 

[casmith07]

The Steelers owner, Rooney, the shining beacon of a "real owner" meddled in his team's locker room.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...ney-wanted-n-word-out-of-steelers-locker-room

 

[Manwiththeplan]

This would penalize the black players almost exclusively. I can't imagine many white players throw that word around out there much.

Funny how many comments we are getting in this thread asking for equal treatment, ie, all racial slurs being 15 yards penalties or make sure the black players get finned as well, when the truth is, this rule almost exclusively targets black players.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Will Ginger also be a word that requires a penalty?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

That's exclusively who it's for. The white players aren't going to throw around the N-word unless they're at a country concert.

Really? I don't think this is going to add anything to the discussion. Perhaps we should just not try to poke everybody in the eye.

 

[Nomad]

Someone already said it, but I think their whole intention for the rule is to stop the use among African-American players. To stop it from being acceptable in any context, unless I am mistaken.

It's going to introduce an awkward situation where a white referee will be calling a penalty on a black player for using the n word.

They should just lump everything like that under unsportsmanlike conduct, if it got to be offensive or out of control. I would think they already do that to some extent.

 

[WV Cowboy]

I don't think this rule, if passes really accomplishes anything. I don't find it ridiculous, but I doubt it actually changes anything or is necessary. I'm surprised someone who is so opposed to profanity would find it ridiculous.

If it "does not change anything or is not necessary", .. then it borders on ridiculous to implement.

Yes, you are right, I am opposed to profanity, and I am opposed to the 'n' word too. I think it is an ugly word.

But to penalize an 'NFL football player / modern day gladiator' for using it on the field of battle is ridiculous.

Penalizing a player for this, and possibly changing a game, is something that we don't want to see.

 

[dogberry]

I assumed the NFL was aiming this at the Coopers and Incognitos of the world. That non-Incognitos will be penalized more probably wasn't on their radar.

 

[Risen Star]

Oh, the PC sissy society we live in today.

How about a flag for hurting somebody's feelings?

 

[Alexander]

I assumed the NFL was aiming this at the Coopers and Incognitos of the world. That non-Incognitos will be penalized more probably wasn't on their radar.

If so, they are pretty ignorant and are overreacting. I highly doubt these two were running around throwing out the N-word on the field.

 

[Doc50]

Oh, the PC sissy society we live in today.

How about a flag for hurting somebody's feelings?

There's already an infraction for taunting -- words and/or actions which may provoke a fight (or hurt someone's feelings).
I would think all such insults, if inflammatory enough, could be grouped into that category.
So, there should be no need to address these issues separately.

 

[Section446]

I am all for it. There's just nothing positive that comes from that word being used.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Oh, the PC sissy society we live in today.

How about a flag for hurting somebody's feelings?

I'll never understand why people get so upset over tolerance or in this case, not tolerating ignorant behavior.

 

[Phoenix]

I am all for it. There's just nothing positive that comes from that word being used.

Well surely there must be MANY more words to add to this list, right? I mean, there are a TON of non-positives that I can think of off the top of my head. Where does it end?

The wussification of America continues. Sigh.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Has nothing to do with wussifying America. It is a stupid rule but not being allowed to call someone that word is not wussifying America.

 

[Section446]

Well surely there must be MANY more words to add to this list, right? I mean, there are a TON of non-positives that I can think of off the top of my head. Where does it end?

The wussification of America continues. Sigh.

You're in support of racism?

 

[Rockport]

as long as its also a fine when the black players use it

White guys don't use that word on the field. This rule is intended to stop use by blacks against blacks. It's opening a can a worms they don't want to open and indication of our politically correct environment we currently live in.

 

[Phoenix]

You're in support of racism?

Did I say that? How are you inferring that? Because I think this is a stupid rule and opening up a whole can of worms?

Is it racism when blacks call each other that name? Is it? Are you in support of racism? Huh? Are you?

If we're on the field together and I call you a meathead, shouldn't that also be a penalty? Where does it end?

Yo, MAMMA'S BOY, grow a pair. Or do you need a penalty flag to throw on me?

Sheeash.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

White guys don't use that word on the field. This rule is intended to stop use by blacks against blacks. It's opening a can a worms they don't want to open and indication of our politically correct environment we currently live in.

I don't think political correctness plays into it. Wouldn't shock me if Roger Robespierre somehow thinks using that word makes the shield too ghetto/ganglike so he is trying to clean it up. It is silly but that is Roger Robespierre for you.

I don't like the argument though that white guys in suits shouldn't be telling the black man what word he can use. If the word is bad, it is bad no matter who uses it (and yes I know why black men use it).

 

[Rogah]

As ridiculous as this rule sounds, it is being done from an afraid-of-litigation point of view. As crazy as this sounds, the NFL field is a workplace and the employees (i.e. players) have the right to a work environment free of racial harassment.

It wasn't too long ago that Brian Cox sued the league for forcing him to play in a racially hostile environment. The slurs were coming at him from the fans, not other players, but the argument could still potentially hold.