NFL to adopt 15-yard penalty for use of racial slur?

[Karee 4,191]

NFL to adopt 15-yard penalty for use of racial slur?

February 21, 2014 7:06 pm ET

John Wooten, head of the Fritz Pollard Alliance that monitors diversity in the NFL, said he expects the league's competition committee to enact a rule at the owner's meeting next month making it an automatic 15-yard penalty if a player uses the N-word on the field, with a second infraction meriting an ejection.

Wooten spoke about his desire to eradicate the word completely from NFL workplaces at the Fritz Pollard event during the combine, wanting it to be fineable and policed throughout team facilities, and received a standing ovation according to those in attendance. Wooten said he will continue being vigilant about this with the NFL office and Commissioner Roger Goodell.

"I will be totally shocked if the competition committee does not uphold us on what we're trying to do," Wooten said. "We want this word to be policed from the parking lot to the equipment room to the locker room. Secretaries, PR people, whoever, we want it eliminated completely and want it policed everywhere."

The NFL had no comment, but league sources did confirm that the idea of "respect" among teammates is a priority. The league is studying major changes to workplace policies in the wake of the Wells report, and Goodell and Troy Vincent from the league office have already met with 35 players to discuss issues of workplace conduct.

Wooten said the competition committee will formally decide whether or not to support his measure at the meeting in March, and then present it to owners. Wooten is "extremely hopeful" it will pass.

"I think they're going to do what needs to be done here," he said. "There is too much disrespect in the game."

Source:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24451604/nfl-to-adopt-15-yard-penalty-for-use-of-racial-slur

Seems like this is a racist policy since the rule will likely punish black players more than others. Ironic.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Seems like this is a racist policy since the rule will likely punish black players more than others. Ironic.

I hope it does. Maybe these dudes will stop talking like that. It's stupid that they force other not to say a word that they use ourselves that does nothing but showcase one's ignorance.

[Karee 4,191]

I hope it does. Maybe these dudes will stop talking like that. It's stupid that they force other not to say a word that they use ourselves that does nothing but showcase one's ignorance.

I posted this with the sole purpose of getting your opinion on it. Have to say I agree with you 100%.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I posted this with the sole purpose of getting your opinion on it. Have to say I agree with you 100%.

So you posted this to bait me? Reported

Honestly, I think most black people say this because it's like having the freedom to do what we want, but just because we can, doesn't mean we should.

[Karee 4,191]

So you posted this to bait me? Reported

Honestly, I think most black people say this because it's like having the freedom to do what we want, but just because we can, doesn't mean we should.

I would've asked my neighbor from Guatemala his opinions on the subject, but they don't carry as much weight as yours for obvious reasons.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I would've asked my neighbor from Guatemala his opinions on the subject, but they don't carry as much weight as yours for obvious reasons.

Of course. Contrary to popular belief, it's a very polarized subject within our community. Folks think because many say it, all black folks say it. I have to correct some when they say it in front of me.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

However, white players will not be penalized for the use of this word.

[Pooky 3,906]

However, white players will not be penalized for the use of this word.

Instead, they will be penalized half the distance to the goal line for using the word "Omaha".

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Instead, they will be penalized half the distance to the goal line for using the word "Omaha".

Anyone using the word Omaha or Marshall should be banned for life.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

There is an excellent article about this in today's Boston Globe by Kevin Paul Dupont. You can't read it online without subscribing.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/03/02/time-for-nfl-players-get-last-word-word/XKUoP8EaYVAfH5VyHKTwBP/story.html

Here's a bit from the article. I wish I could copy and paste it in its entirety. Well said Mr. Dupont. And he's white, not that it makes a difference.

I think of the N word, I think of a brave Rosa Parks refusing to sit on the back of the bus.

I think of the N word, I think of Birmingham and four girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church.

I think of the N word, I think of of fire hoses and tear gas beating down Freedom Fighters.

I think of the N word, I think of the good fights won by Jackie Robinson, Willie O'Ree.

I think of the N word, I think of MLK, his words, his dream, his coffin.

I think of the N word, I think of cowards and killers dressed in their ghostly white KKK sheets.

The league's fight against the N word will be won or lost by the young African-Americans in the NFL who will have to decide if if they want to continue to own, even glorify, a word that lingers in the vernacular as an insult to everyone. Their forefathers waged and won a far more courageous battle.They don't need a commissioner, players union, rules committee, or an aging white sports columnist to to remind them of that.

They need only to look within, summon their sense of self, think of what that word truly means. And let it go. For all of us. And for good.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

There is an excellent article about this in today's Boston Globe by Kevin Paul Dupont. You can't read it online without subscribing.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/03/02/time-for-nfl-players-get-last-word-word/XKUoP8EaYVAfH5VyHKTwBP/story.html

Here's a bit from the article. I wish I could copy and paste it in its entirety. Well said Mr. Dupont. And he's white, not that it makes a difference.

I think of the N word, I think of a brave Rosa Parks refusing to sit on the back of the bus.

I think of the N word, I think of Birmingham and four girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church.

I think of the N word, I think of of fire hoses and tear gas beating down Freedom Fighters.

I think of the N word, I think of the good fights won by Jackie Robinson, Willie O'Ree.

I think of the N word, I think of MLK, his words, his dream, his coffin.

I think of the N word, I think of cowards and killers dressed in their ghostly white KKK sheets.

The league's fight against the N word will be won or lost by the young African-Americans in the NFL who will have to decide if if they want to continue to own, even glorify, a word that lingers in the vernacular as an insult to everyone. Their forefathers waged and won a far more courageous battle.They don't need a commissioner, players union, rules committee, or an aging white sports columnist to to remind them of that.

They need only to look within, summon their sense of self, think of what that word truly means. And let it go. For all of us. And for good.

And it's why I don't say it or listen to folks who do. I had to correct my father recently for saying it. He was shocked when I broke it down for him. But I know the life he's lived, and I told him it's a habit he needs to break, for his own sake and for those around him.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

And it's why I don't say it or listen to folks who do. I had to correct my father recently for saying it. He was shocked when I broke it down for him. But I know the life he's lived, and I told him it's a habit he needs to break, for his own sake and for those around him.

The current generation needs to break this habit, and that's what it is, a habit. Most probably don't realize that in a way they are spitting in the face of those who fought so long and hard against it. I even read a counterpoint of view in the Globe today by a black player saying ti would be unfair to impose such a rule since it is used as a term of affection among some blacks.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

The current generation needs to break this habit, and that's what it is, a habit. Most probably don't realize that in a way they are spitting in the face of those who fought so long and hard against it. I even read a counterpoint of view in the Globe today by a black player saying ti would be unfair to impose such a rule since it is used as a term of affection among some blacks.

I can see the resistance growing. These young men and women(old enough to know better) need to wake up and see the damage they're causing our people. How in the hell can I yell at a white person for saying it when the black dude next to me is saying it all the time? When I play with my friends online, I tell them don't use that word, it makes all of us look like we have no coof.

You want a term of affection, here's some for you: Brother, homie, homeboy, my dude, home slice. See, that was easy, Where's my nobel peace prize?

Edited March 2, 2014 by Su and Marvin

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I can see the resistance growing. These young men and women(old enough to know better) need to wake up and see the damage they're causing our people. How in the hell can I yell at a white person for saying it when the black dude next to me is saying it all the time? When I play with my friends online, I tell them don't use that word, it makes all of us look like we have no coof.

You want a term of affection, here's some for you: Brother, homie, homeboy, my dude, home slice. See, that was easy, Where's my nobel peace prize?

It seems like the word doesn't have the negative connotation with the younger generation as it does with many whites and older blacks. It's like the meaning of the word changed, but only if blacks use it. If someone white uses it, it would still be taken as an insult. Double standard or whatever you want to call it. It is a tough habit to break. It was finally on it's way out in many places and now it has become very common once again.

I don't imagine that swastikas and chanting Sieg Heil would go over well in Germany today.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

It seems like the word doesn't have the negative connotation with the younger generation as it does with many whites and older blacks. It's like the meaning of the word changed, but only if blacks use it. If someone white uses it, it would still be taken as an insult. Double standard or whatever you want to call it. It is a tough habit to break. It was finally on it's way out in many places and now it has become very common once again.

I don't imagine that swastikas and chanting Sieg Heil would go over well in Germany today.

I'll call it what it is, stupid double standard. What's worse is some black people try to defend using it, like passionately. I've lost my temper at work because some black dude came in my office and used it. Then had the nerve to try and say I'm being uppity because I use proper english. That wasn't a good day at all.