NFL to penalize players for the use of racial slurs on the field?

[Anonymous]

So, this morning I just saw this on the news and it kind of caught my attention. This is not implemented yet, but it seems that this is something that many people within the NFL are trying to do.

They will make it so that any player who uses racial slurs (mainly the n-word), their team will automatically get a 15-yard penalty for the first offense and after the second offense, the individual will be ejected from the game. What do you think of this? I'm curious about the thoughts of football fans mainly but anyone can answer. Is this a good idea? Or not? Here's an article about it: link

[Anonymous]

Regardless of the intensity and the physical nature of the sport of football, one should never be subjected to racial slurs and/or degrading language, particularly in a entity, such the NFL, where diversity, intensity, brutality and competitiveness is a constant present, especially for players competing for guaranteed contracts.

If you have experienced competing in a highly competitive atmosphere, you may be aware of the natural, on-edge emotions that many players experience, and how a racial slur can influence many players to retaliate unprofessionally.

On a personal note, I have heard of little league football coaches using racial slurs and offensive language to motivate or scorn their players. These same players, if they continue playing organized football, may accept racial slurs and such abnormal behavior as normal practice of the sport. That, is at is core, a reason for change. Hence some of the explanations from various reports regarding the culture of the Miami Dolphins.

The point, the culture must undergo an immediate, drastic change. Penalizing teams for the offensive language of their players should influence players to take personal accountability for the good of their team.

[sketchy]

Another example of the US being 20 years behind the rest of the world on social issues...

If it were English soccer, they'd be looking at a minimum of a 5 match suspension (likely to increase to 10 matches) and a hefty fine.

Professional athletes have to accept that they are role models, and must conduct themselves accordingly - it's the same reason players are fined for failing to attend press conferences, using recreational (non performance enhancing) drugs, or engaging in any other activity that would bring the team / sport into disrepute. The amount they're getting paid, I think keeping their potty mouths shut for a couple of hours each Sunday, is the least they can do.

[DivaMonae]

Well it really depends... Now the way I see it it's prettt much the same as the way things are in real life.

For instance if a black person calls another black person them its fine. (As if they are friends/family.

If someone else says it especially a white person then it's known as an insult.

If a team mate says that to another team mate they shouldn't be penalized for it. It's their choice of words, celebration, or encouragement after really helping out the team.

If the opposite team member says it to the other team (especially if they aren't that race) it is an insult. Like while bragging or just to put that person down or if they think they are better than them.

With that bring said that team should only be penalized if and only if they are using that word against rhe other team in a harmful manner.

[Anonymous]

I think it's good. Yeah, it's a competitive sport and yeah, obviously they're going to curse. But I don't see why exactly they would have to resort to using racial slurs. People call it political correctness, I call it professionalism and manners. "That's not what football is about!1" shut up. I don't care. Any other normal human being would be shunned for saying n-, why should football players be excused? Tch.

[Anonymous]

Just another example of the NFL watering itself down and trying to appeal to wider audience. It just seems like a fake "We're not racist. We care." kind of thing.

These are grown men, so it's certainly not to help them. Why should anyone care what they are saying? We're becoming too nitpicky as a culture. It's none of out business. It's between that player and whoever he happens to be talking to. No one else.

Plus there's a bit of strategy to saying certain things. If you get someone frustrated, they could make mistakes. Happens in every sport.

Is this in response to the Incognito thing? Because that whole thing came out different than what they media was going for at first, so...

And let's not forget that for whatever reason the NFL cares more about language than they do criminal activity. lol There quite a few players that drink and drive and have various assault charges. What are they doing?

[arashmenalagha]

no it's not obviously football is competitive so they're going to use the N***** word when people are mad.

Slowly this place is going to become like the book 1984. If we're okay with this kind of censorship then there will be more censorship until it starts to inconvenience people.

[RedThread]

I didn't know that it was allowed to call people by racial slurs before.. I would think that would be pretty off limits.. I don't mind it. It's the same with the excessive celebrating in the end zone thing.. If it brings more professionalism and class to the sport then go for it.

[kambo_trick3y]

I got a pretty foul mouth, but professionalism is professionalism, I know where to draw the line.

I can see why they would want to implement this.

[Anonymous]

I have about a million angry words to express my displeasure. I don't need to resort to needless bullshit racism and I certainly don't need to n-word someone.

The only people who can upset with this, are the ones who rely on words like spic, wetback, coon, etc...

[Anonymous]

I think it's stupid. While I'm not for racial slurs, there are other things that could be penalised as well. So much trash talking goes on there, where can you actually draw the line? I can only imagine what goes on on a football (soccer) field which all those different nationalities and races...

[rotinaj10]

Don't like it. The NFL is trying to do too much to control it's players.

I'd like to see kids in schoolg get punished for using words like nigga or f** . Those types of words have no place in our society.

[Eiffelgirl21]

I don't really think they should. I am not racist. And, don't agree with it... but, I do believe in freedom of speech.

[M_A_X]

They shouldn't be penalized, they should be fired, plain and simple. There is no room on the field for that kind of stuff.

[ihatethiswebsite]

I'm surprised it wasn't standard to penalize it before. Why should NFL players be allowed to do that when the whole population would be fired from their jobs for doing that

[Anonymous]

It seems like they want to police blacks on using the word more than they want people to have respect for one another.There's plenty of words you can say that are disrespectful , but you don't see this organization that's calling for the NFL to penalize the use of the word, trying to police that do you?

[Prof_Don]

The only issue I see with this is the Pandora's box opening for the NFL officials to penalize for all profanity!

[AndyWes]

from what I've seen/heard, it's mostly blacks who use the word.

[IHateMeganFox]

I really don't like sports. And I could honestly care less about anything they do or say.

[Anonymous]

So...this was allowed before?

I swear I want to leave America more and more each day.

[Anonymous]

It's pointless, they are making the sport too soft.

[SaltandVinegar]

more political correctness