NFL discussing 15 yard penalty for use of n-word

[NIBGoldenchild]

I hate the word and support any decisions, effective or not, that attempt to prevent it's use. It's an ugly, hateful word with the -er suffix, and just ignorant and immature to use with the -a suffix.

I state this as someone who in their youth, used to use the word frequently, and know that the majority of our youth today, regardless of color, use the word as well. These "men" are supposed to be professionals. This has nothing to do with wussifying the NFL, it has everything to do with growing the hell up.

 

[sacase]

This is going to be unpopoular but, I got to say it. This rule is specifically targeting black players all because white folks can't say the word as well. That's what it comes down to. How can you ban a word when used among other black folks means the same things as brother, man, friend.

Now with that said, I don't use the word myself. I didn't grow up in that environment. However, I have tons of friends who do use that word when addressing anyone, even white people. People need to realize the word itself is not offensive, it is the meaning behind the word that carries the offense. Trying to ban its use is just wrong, it would be like banning the word sweet, just because it refers to a person who is homosexual. This is purely about if I can't say it, you can't either. I think the NFL has far more problems to address then adding a 15 yard penalty for word usage. Why are they not banning curse words? You know words that can get the NFL fined if said on national TV.

 

[Denim Chicken]

You're in support of racism?

In support of freedom of speech.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

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.

It was reported earlier that this stemmed from the Officials. Apparently, more and more players are calling officials the N word. Because the officials can not respond to the players directly or engage in direct exchange with the players, it was brought up to the League.

Now, I don't know if that is the real reason or not but I know that this was discussed by ESPN as a possible cause.

Personally, I think it's a combination of all of these things and it's also a precursor for when Gay players enter the League. I think that the League will use this as a means to prevent offensive language there as well. That's just my own opinion on it but I see it as a way to prevent those kinds of pending problems in future.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Personally, I think it's a combination of all of these things and it's also a precursor for when Gay players enter the League. I think that the League will use this as a means to prevent offensive language there as well. That's just my own opinion on it but I see it as a way to prevent those kinds of pending problems in future.

Still disturbs me when 'blacks' and 'gays' are lumped in together as if they are the same thing.

I know that you weren't necessarily saying it, .. but saying that the league might look at it that way.

I just can't see the correlation.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Still disturbs me when 'blacks' and 'gays' are lumped in together as if they are the same thing.

I know that you weren't necessarily saying it, .. but saying that the league might look at it that way.

I just can't see the correlation.

Neither can change their being so to me they are the same.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

It was reported earlier that this stemmed from the Officials. Apparently, more and more players are calling officials the N word. Because the officials can not respond to the players directly or engage in direct exchange with the players, it was brought up to the League.

Now, I don't know if that is the real reason or not but I know that this was discussed by ESPN as a possible cause.

Personally, I think it's a combination of all of these things and it's also a precursor for when Gay players enter the League. I think that the League will use this as a means to prevent offensive language there as well. That's just my own opinion on it but I see it as a way to prevent those kinds of pending problems in future.

my only quibble is that I am pretty certain there already are gay players in the league. Since about 5% of the male population is gay, there is a pretty strong likelihood at least one player in the NFL is gay.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Neither can change their being so to me they are the same.

I disagree, .. I guess that's why it bothers me.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

it would be like banning the word sweet, just because it refers to a person who is homosexual.

horrible analogy is horrible

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

my only quibble is that I am pretty certain there already are gay players in the league. Since about 5% of the male population is gay, there is a pretty strong likelihood at least one player in the NFL is gay.

I suspect that there are too but I have no idea if it's a widely known thing or not. I also suspect that offensive slang is already thrown around in the NFL but now, if a player enters the NFL as a person that is gay, I wonder if that changes the dynamics of certain things. Before, if you were not know as gay, could suit be brought against the NFL for using offensive language relating to gay people? If you are gay coming into the league and offensive language is used or spoken, does that change things and can the NFL then be sued for discrimination or the like? I don't know the answers to these things but I could certain see it changing things.

 

[Rogah]

This is going to be unpopoular but, I got to say it. This rule is specifically targeting black players all because white folks can't say the word as well. That's what it comes down to. How can you ban a word when used among other black folks means the same things as brother, man, friend.

Ah, but it doesn't necessarily mean that to all black people, does it? What if there is a player who hates being called that word, even by other black people? He could complain about being forced to endure racial taunts, and that would bring the NFL more poor PR.

 

[Rogah]

I suspect that there are too but I have no idea if it's a widely known thing or not. I also suspect that offensive slang is already thrown around in the NFL but now, if a player enters the NFL as a person that is gay, I wonder if that changes the dynamics of certain things. Before, if you were not know as gay, could suit be brought against the NFL for using offensive language relating to gay people? If you are gay coming into the league and offensive language is used or spoken, does that change things and can the NFL then be sued for discrimination or the like? I don't know the answers to these things but I could certain see it changing things.

I think this is one of the reasons behind the move to ban offensive language on the field.

We all know that football players will do anything they can to get under their opponents' skin. Suppose players on the field of play called a homosexual opponent the f-word? The NFL is trying to pre-empt the potentially bad press and public reaction.

 

[sacase]

Ah, but it doesn't necessarily mean that to all black people, does it? What if there is a player who hates being called that word, even by other black people? He could complain about being forced to endure racial taunts, and that would bring the NFL more poor PR.

Let's be real, the only people who are making this a racial thing are white people. If you don't like being called that then let it be known. No difference than someone calling someone else kid.

 

[joseephuss]

I disagree, .. I guess that's why it bothers me.

So you know better than someone who is homosexual?

 

[joseephuss]

Let's be real, the only people who are making this a racial thing are white people. If you don't like being called that then let it be known. No difference than someone calling someone else kid.

Is John Wooten making this a racial thing or is he just trying to ban use of the word? He happens to be black.

 

[sacase]

I am sure there are a few besides wooten, but the majority just don't care. I never heard Wooten say anything, but then again I don't follow him or what he says. But I always hear white people complaining about it. Its like they are itching to say it without an butt whipping to follow.

 

[joseephuss]

I don't follow him, but the article in the initial post said he is one of the main guys behind this proposed rule.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think that above all else, this is a business and things will be run in a way that is in the best interests of the business. If you have an issue with the language, I think it's a mistake to draw a conclusion that this is all about white people or black people or whatever the case. This is about business. This is about money and that's all it's about. If it were not, this rule would have been changed 30 years ago because that language has been around for a very, very long time. Only now is it becoming an issue. This is not about anything other then protecting the League.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I just don't feel comfortable with a white-run organization trying to impose their way on the use of the word by predominately black people.

Black people (as we all know) have a sticky history with this word. They didn't come up with it, and it was/is/forever will be one of the most infamous words in the history of human kind. Black people ended up fighting for their rights, and when they finally got many of them, they wanted to address that sticky little word. As it stands today, the word is very polarizing among black people. Many black people feel empowered using the word because they fought for their rights and now can use the word any way they like. Those people, like someone else said, use it as a term of solidarity. And a lot of black people find it offensive that black people would want to use a word that has such a negative history. And, of course, nobody wants non-black people using the word. That part isn't even debatable.

Anyway, my point is, the use of the N word among black people is a black issue. It's a very sticky issue that requires dialogue among black scholars, politicians, and regular folk. The future of the word needs to be discussed in an open-minded fashion amongst black people. But in no way should a collective body of rich white men be the ones trying to impact the future of the N word. I couldn't think of anything more offensive.

 

[WV Cowboy]

So whites aren't allowed to say the word because it is offensive, .. but blacks can.

And realizing that it is offensive, when whites try to eliminate the word, or try to discourage others from saying it, .. they are being offensive.

I can't keep up any more.