What Grinds My Gears.

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?

14 Straight Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 29, 2008	Posted on: April 2, 2008 10:51 am Score: 93 NFL Rules Walking Fine Line? this hair style as a style reserved for thugs, scumbags, and Pac Man Jones.This comment is hilarious. Gotta love it. On the issue at hand, I wouldn't really mind the rule. It would seem to be that hard to have your hair under your helmet. It is a bit petty though. Surely there are more important things for the owners to debate. Actually, I would think the players would keep the hair inside the helmet anyway. One less thing to be pulled down by. Again, I don't have a big objection to the rule, but I wonder why this is one of the main issues they are discussing. [ Reply to Comment ]
CowboyB Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 7, 2006	Posted on: April 2, 2008 11:01 am Score: 95 NFL Rules Walking Fine Line? For many players, they will have to cut their hair or get rid of the dreads. For a lot of them, it is so thick, there is no way the hair could be packed in the helmet, unless they jump 5-6 sizes in the helmet. They have already made it a rule that the hair is a part of the uniform so there is no infraction if the hair gets pulled. So as of right now and as it should stay, it is a players decision to have that risk. I cannot find any reason to make this rule other than the appearance of the team and players. If they want to tell me it is for the safety of their players, then I would have to propose turning the NFL into the NFTL. National Football TOUCH League. [ Reply to Comment ]
momluvsfootball Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 9, 2006	Posted on: April 2, 2008 11:02 am Score: 94 NFL Rules Walking Fine Line? Well, I have a suspicion that this talk came about after the playoffs when the refs made a bad call in the Jags/Steelers playoff game. One of the Jags players went down and the ball was spotted where his hair was out of bounds (though they didn't call it due to being out of bounds). I think the owners are just trying to think about the best way to hlep give their players an edge. After all Polamalu's hair was what cost him a td one year on an interception and you have the chance of a play ending because another players hair flew out of bounds while running down the side. I think the most noteable player in the NFL with his hair, very few, if any would consider him a thug, scumbag, etc...(that man in your pic). So I dont' think that it's the racial discrimination aspect. However, I really don't see this really becoming an issue or a rule, unless there becomes more controversial calls during the game due to the hair. [ Reply to Comment ]
CowboyB Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 7, 2006	Posted on: April 2, 2008 11:16 am Score: 94 NFL Rules Walking Fine Line? I think the most noteable player in the NFL with his hair, very few, if any would consider him a thug, scumbag, etc...(that man in your pic). So I dont' think that it's the racial discrimination aspect. I don't necessarily believe that is the discrimination aspect for the majority either. However, when you here all the comments made about Stephen Jackson, and realize he is not a thug or scumbag, then you wonder what other people are thinking.

CowboyB

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?

NFL Rules Walking Fine Line?