Every year the NFL's Competition Committee meets to discuss the various rules that players and organizations must abide by. The past few years the committee has introduced a controversial new wrinkle to the country's most popular sport. But this year's proposed penalty for using the n-word has me scratching my head. In fact, the only n word the NFL should be uttering right now, as it relates to this topic, is NO!
With the recently concluded Richie Incognito /Jonathan Martin / Miami Dolphins investigation, there is a heightened sensitivity to the use of the word, and more specifically....bullying. If you are unfamiliar with this topic, Google it. You should be caught up within the first few lines.
The NFL is proposing that a 15 yard penalty be assessed to the team who's player uses the word. A second infraction would lead to a fine. While I am all for cleaning up the game, I wonder what the ramifications of this rule change would be....from a public relations stand point. I just don't know if the NFL is ready to be the face of the word, because let's face it, it's going to happen.
You can almost feel the nervous tension from local bar owners, when the first game is stopped and the referee says something to the point of..."personal foul on the defense....the nose tackle just called Cam Newton the n-word!" Now picture that same bar owner scanning the tables and watching some fans (of all races) squirm in their seat, while other fans (of all races) take the n-word topic away from the world of sports. By the way, they're all drinking. That bar owner is praying that somebody...anybody scores on the next play.
Or even worse, a fan of the visiting team is sitting in the stadium, and a player on their team commits the n-word infraction. Taunting, and everything that comes along with that, is sure to ensue....and will escalate....eventually. Is the NFL ready to bear the brunt if something, God forbid, tragic happened specifically related to this topic at one of their venues?
And what about the teams? Will there be a human resources seminar to the most fined team? And will the players have to complete sensitivity training before returning to the field? If I'm making this sound like a joke, it's because it is. People (of all races) looking for an easy outlet to voice their political beliefs will be all over this like ants at a picnic. And is the fine worse if it's said to a black player...from a white player? You laugh now but someone will ask that, in front of millions of people.
If the NFL wants to police the use of the n-word I'm all for it. But I would suggest for it to be handled privately, and internally...like other fines that teams give their players. Making it public to prove a point is cutting off your nose to spite your face. The weekly talk shows, for the foreseeable future, would be running a weekly n-word report before the injuries. The topic would never go away. And you just wait until this rule costs someone a game...no, a playoff game. You just wait. I hope the NFL really considers this rule change before ultimately implementing it. Because a change of this magnitude can never be undone.
Even if it turns out to be a public relations nightmare. follow @plcolter
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