The NFL Has Been Neutered By Political Correctness

You gotta hand it to the NFL. When it comes to head scratching, what-were-you-thinking decision making, it gets the gold medal.

Pittsburgh Steelers' running back DeAngelo Williams wanted to wear some pink in honor of his mother after she passed away from breast cancer. He thought it would be a good way to raise awareness for the cause. The NFL shut him down and told him he couldn't or he would face fines and possible suspension.

Marshall Lynch's gold shoes

Another Steeler, Ryan Clark, wore a "#21" on his eye black to honor friend and fellow player Sean Taylor after Taylor was shot and killed at his home in Miami during a burglary of his home. He was fined by the league.

49ers running back Frank Gore wore his socks too low. Fined. Seahawk Marshall Lynch wanted to wear gold shoes in a game. He was warned by the league that if he did so he would be suspended. Brandon Marshall wore green shoes to honor National Mental Health Awareness month. Fined.

And then there's the various post-TD celebrations that have resulted in fines galore.

Just a few examples of freedom of expression nixed by the NFL. Ridiculous, mind numbing, overbearing instances of total, complete control over players' conduct.

The NFL has made it its business to strictly govern what players can and can't do, can and can't wear, can and can't say, from the moment they walk into an NFL stadium to ply their trade. And now, in the wake of Colin Kaepernick's decision (and that of other players) to take a knee during the playing of the National Anthem, the NFL has this to say:

"Players are encouraged but not required to stand for the National Anthem."

Are you kidding me? Did I miss something? While I was dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Hermine with no power for a few days, did the NFL suddenly become concerned with the individuality of its athletes? 

I mean, come on. From day one the league has made it its mission to extinguish any possible individuality of players. The NFL has never tolerated tributes or any kind of non-conformity when it comes to conduct, what players wear, and how they act in front of a national TV audience. And now this dictatorial atmosphere has morphed into one that "encourages" but does not "require" players to act in a respectful manner toward the U.S. flag, our nation, and its anthem?

If that's the case, why did the NFL prohibit Dallas Cowboys players from wearing "Arm in Arm" decals on their helmets during games to show support for the Dallas police officers who were murdered while serving the community? Why is this act of expression forbidden instead of discouraged? Shouldn't players be allowed to show their respect and admiration for officers in blue or is it only OK for players to take a proverbial dump on our flag?

And if expressions of support for law enforcement in the form of attire is so abhorrent that players are prohibited from wearing a decal on a helmet, where was the NFL when Kaeper-twit was expressing his opinion as to law enforcement by wearing socks that depicted police officers as pigs during practice?

Lucy, you got some 'splainin' to do.

If the NFL had any semblance of cojones, it would smack Kaeper-doofus around like the red headed stepchild he is for even thinking about not standing during the playing of the national anthem. The same goes for all the other recent Kaeper-pinhead bandwagon jumpers in the league who have decided to follow Kaeper-moron's lead.

But it seems that the league is more concerned with political correctness than the sensibilities of most Americans who believe our flag and our anthem deserve respect. Not to mention, of course, the feelings of countless family members who have lost white, black, latino, asian, native american, and mixtures of some/all of the above sons and daughters, who sacrificed their lives so that putzes like Kaeper-ninnny can make millions while playing a game.

Many of my friends on the left believe that we as a nation should be more like our brethren across the pond and follow the example of Europe when it comes to social issues. OK, let's see how Europeans handle a Kaepernick-like situation. How about the English Premiere League? After all, it doesn't get any bigger than that league or the sport of futbol in the UK, right? The Premiere League is essentially the British equivalent of the NFL. Let's see what happens when one of its players decides to express himself in an unpatriotic manner.

By sheer coincidence, a Premier League player recently decided to pull a Kaepernick and refused to honor the UK flag as a protest for the conduct of the British in Northern Ireland years ago. During an exhibition game played in South Carolina between the Premiere League's West Bromwich Albion squad and the Charleston Battery, players from both sides lined up for the playing of the two countries' National Anthems. As the teams turned to face the national flags, midfielder James McClean did not turn to face the flags and instead remained in place with his head bowed. He stayed in that position as the British national anthem was played.

West Ham's manager (head coach) was not amused and seethed at McClean's show of disrespect for the UK. After the match, he had a Come-to-Jesus chat with McClean and made it clear to him that his conduct would not be tolerated by the team and that he would not repeat this show of disrespect again. The team then put out a statement that while it respected the right of any player to express personal opinions through expression, it would not be condoned on the pitch or while in uniform for the team. The Premiere League was in full accord with how the situation was handled.

End of story, end of McClean's antics.

What a concept.

A team that won't tolerate the whims of a pampered, overpaid dipwad who makes a living by throwing, kicking, catching or otherwise playing with a ball and tells him to air his beefs on his own time and on his own dime.

A league that won't allow political correctness to overshadow the pride that most of its nation has for its country, flag, and anthem.

So how about this, NFL? Grow a pair, would you? For once, handle something significant in a significant matter. You've already dropped the ball when it comes to letting your players use spouses, girlfriends, and significant others as punching bags. You've made a mockery of substance abuse and the use of performance enhancing drugs. You crack down on stupid things like a decal on a helmet or the color of a pair of shoes.

Take control of this situation before it spirals to the point where the inmates will be running the asylum and you kill your cash cow. Or don't. And then let's see where you end up.