The N-Word.
The F-word (not the four-letter version, but the six-letter derogatory gay term).
Two words that have no place in public discourse.
And potentially two words with serious consequences if used during games in the National Football League. As you may have heard, the NFL is considering instituting a rule where players would be penalized 15 yards for uttering the aforementioned words on the field.
It’s noble what the NFL is attempting to do here.
It’s also absolutely unenforceable.
Picture this scenario: It’s a Sunday night game between the 49ers and Seahawks in Seattle. As you may have heard, CenturyLink Field is undoubtedly the loudest stadium in the league (which is impressive considering it is an outdoor stadium). So noisy, so difficult to play in for opponents, they retired #12 in honor of the fans (the 12th man). That said, it’s no coincidence the reigning champs are 15-1 at home over the past two seasons.
So it’s a tie game in the 4th quarter. Defensive Player X from San Francisco is running across the field to attempt to tackle running back Player Y of Seattle. But before he gets there, he is chopped-blocked at the knees by Player Z, a pulling lineman for the Seahawks. San Fran Player X feels the block was a cheap shot with intent to hurt him, and calls him the N-word for attempting to do so.
But this all unfolds away from the ball, and the referees are focused on what’s happening around Player Y, the Seattle RB. A ref thinks he hears someone yell the N-word, but isn’t sure due to a deafening crowd that once reached a decibel level of 136 (148 can make an ear rupture). But with more than a few players miked up for NFL Films and NBC, the official needs to do something or be reprimanded by his bosses for missing something that may be on tape.
So…he throws a flag on Player A from San Francisco and assesses a 15-yard penalty for illegal use of language. One problem: Player A wasn’t even involved (Player Z was the guilty party)…he just happened to be close by at the time. But again, with 22 players moving at once and 72,000 fans louder than a jet plane, enforcement is not remotely close to being an exact science.
Player A—a veteran who has built a good reputation in the league and is respected by his teammates and opponents alike—is all the rage the next morning on ESPN and even cable news. In our race-obsessed media, the questions are as predictable as the Jets offense: Is Player A a racist? Should he be fined or suspended for saying such a thing? According to Al Sharpton, that should absolutely be the case.
