Since the death of George Floyd, the NFL has decided our nation's anthem isn't good enough, so they will play "The Black National Anthem" along with it.
Then they backtrack on the kneeling controversy.
Now they are considering allowing players to put decals on their helmets against "police brutality" and "systemic racism."
From Bleacher Report:
The NFL is reportedly considering allowing players to wear "decals on helmets or patches on jerseys" in honor of victims of systemic racism and police brutality, according to Jason Reid of The Undefeated.
The league may also "produce educational programs about victims, among other plans."
NFL.com noted that if the decal idea was approved by the players and the league, "a player could wear a helmet decal with 'G.F.' for George Floyd, whose death in May while in Minneapolis police custody has sparked a global reckoning over police brutality and racial prejudice."
Reid also reported that the league is expected to play "Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing" before the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the start of games. The song has traditionally been considered the Black national anthem.
The NFL announced earlier in June it would be committing $250 million over the next 10 years to combat systemic racism and support social justice causes and charities. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the league's response to many of those issues in recent years should have been better and that the league should have listened more to its players.
That came in response to a video produced by a number of star players demanding changes around the league."
Front Office Sports details the traditionally strict uniform codes of the NFL, who when police officers were killed in Dallas, forbade the Cowboys from honoring them on their uniforms:
But allowing players to add personalized, political messages to their uniforms would mark a significant strategic shift by the NFL, which has a reputation as the most traditional sports league, noted Wyche.
For decades, the NFL uniform has been virtually sacrosanct. Besides the team and NFL “shield” logos, the only branding allowed was typically small logos of official uniform partners like Nike or Reebok and the American flag. The goal has been to create and maintain a standardized look for all 32 teams.
On rare occasions, the NFL has employed helmet decals or patches to salute former players or owners who’ve passed away. Or branches of the U.S. Armed Forces during the annual “Salute to Service” in November. But the NFL uniform has been mostly out-of-bounds when it comes to outside messaging.
The NFL, for instance, prohibited the Dallas Cowboys from adding decals to their helmets in remembrance of five police officers killed in 2016. The league only allowed the team to wear the decals during training camp.
Meanwhile, the $15 billion league also employs ex-players as so-called ‘uniform cops.’ These uniform inspectors patrol the sidelines, looking for the slightest violations by players of the league’s apparel and equipment guidelines."
While I have no problem with players honoring individuals who were killed unjustly by police, one had to wonder what the rules will be.
Will police killed during the summer's many riots be honored, if they player chooses to do so?
Will players who do not participate be ostracized?
Will players be allowed to stick "Free Hong Kong" on their helmets?
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