NFL players tribute to 9/11

[raysox]

I'm fine with some players doing this for a one game thing.

Just don't make them look like ass.

[Drew22]

Roddy White

[Jinjoe]

If there's the slightest doubt that he's doing it for self-promotion, then it's not a worthy "tribute."

So you, or anyone else doubting gets to decide whats a worthy tribute?

Maybe he does not get to, but someone else has to, or players would be allowed to make individualized tributes on their own. That someone is Goodell, I guess.

I don't have any problem with him deciding whats a worthy tribute, but to fine or prevent an individual from making a tribute to 9/11, because he's afraid of a "slippery slope"?

Seriously? When you're on the clock, and in company uniform, you are not an individual. You are an employee, and any company with any type of dress code has the authority to tell you what to do. I get that sports is different than the real world, but in matters like this, it's not.

Seriously? I wasn't arguing whether he has the authority, or should have that authority to say what can be worn or not be worn. My contention is whether fining someone in this case is really necessary.

In my opinion yes, because you can't be subjective when it comes to this stuff. The "slippery slope" argument is perfectly valid. Maybe I'd have less of an issue with it if there wasn't a Reebok logo on everything involved, because it's so clearly just a stunt to get people to look at the gaudy gloves / shoes and see a corporate logo. Briggs is just a tool in all of this. The arguments that wearing star-spangled gloves don't really pay tribute or help anyone are also perfectly valid. How exactly does a glove help the families? There are flags flying all over the place, having one on his hands doesn't make anyone more patriotic (or jingoistic). It just looks silly, and if honestly a little disgraceful that companies are capitalizing on sympathetic feelings by churning out this crap.

Of course you can. This is not an issue that affects just certain individuals or groups, it was an event that affected the country as a whole.

How exactly does a glove help the families?

Is wearing glove going of a tangible benefit to the families of victims? No. But neither was a random person flying a flag on their car, a team wearing commemorative hats, or a politician wearing a flag pin when you are making a speech. But that person still did it because they felt it was a fitting tribute.

There are flags flying all over the place, having one on his hands doesn't make anyone more patriotic (or jingoistic).

This is not contest of who can be more patriotic. I can safely assume whoever is doing a tribute, in whatever way it may be is not looking for some grand patriotic trophy

[nuordr]

Roddy White

I think that the players wanting to represent the memory of the victims of 911 is an awesome thing. Heck, I believe the league should have made special gloves and shoes for anyone who wanted to forgot those that were lost. Good ups to the players who do not care about fines, but care about the brave men and women who give their life everyday.

[FiddySicks]

So this is sort of unrelated, but if you're a player and you flat out refuse to wear the ridiculous pink gear the NFL provides and instead hit the field in regular, league approved gear, do you still get fined for not participating, or is it optional?

I'm going to put this one back out there, because it kind of got lost with everyone questioning the merit of wearing these special cleats.

I'll add to it though. If the NFL is going to fine these players thousands of dollars for wearing unauthorized gear, why the hell is Reebok, the official supplier of the NFL's merchandise, giving this stuff to the players in the first place? It's one thing for the NFL to go after the players for stepping through that door, but if it's against the league's policies, why wouldn't the NFL take the same approach and go after Reebok for even opening the door in the first place?

[OMMF]

So this is sort of unrelated, but if you're a player and you flat out refuse to wear the ridiculous pink gear the NFL provides and instead hit the field in regular, league approved gear, do you still get fined for not participating, or is it optional?

I'm going to put this one back out there, because it kind of got lost with everyone questioning the merit of wearing these special cleats.

I'll add to it though. If the NFL is going to fine these players thousands of dollars for wearing unauthorized gear, why the hell is Reebok, the official supplier of the NFL's merchandise, giving this stuff to the players in the first place? It's one thing for the NFL to go after the players for stepping through that door, but if it's against the league's policies, why wouldn't the NFL take the same approach and go after Reebok for even opening the door in the first place?

I'm sure Reebok isn't in any position to deny a player's request for equipment considering that they don't know if said player is asking for it to be worn in a game or not. Because then the flip side becomes the manufacturer asking "Why?" to every player request for something.

[guest23]

Roddy White

I think that the players wanting to represent the memory of the victims of 911 is an awesome thing. Heck, I believe the league should have made special gloves and shoes for anyone who wanted to forgot those that were lost. Good ups to the players who do not care about fines, but care about the brave men and women who give their life everyday.

too bad wearing festive gloves and shoes does nothing of the sort

[BrandMooreArt]

Roddy White

I think that the players wanting to represent the memory of the victims of 911 is an awesome thing. Heck, I believe the league should have made special gloves and shoes for anyone who wanted to forgot those that were lost. Good ups to the players who do not care about fines, but care about the brave men and women who give their life everyday.

too bad wearing festive gloves and shoes does nothing of the sort

what? it says "never forget 911" right on the shoe

[Gothamite]

Exactly. Anyone who "represents" in a way that brings more attention to them than tangible benefit to the actual people involved is a shameless huckster.

Donate cash, Mr. Concerned Player, and then play dress-up games.

[Jinjoe]

Exactly. Anyone who "represents" in a way that brings more attention to them than tangible benefit to the actual people involved is a shameless huckster.

Donate cash, Mr. Concerned Player, and then play dress-up games.

Exactly what? It's always funny to me when people act like they automatically know what others intentions are.

So what tangible benefit would it serve if it was a team wide tribute, or a NFL mandated tribute, that would have been different from this? How do you know if Mr. Concerned Player hasn't already donated cash?

[axl007]

I thought the NFL approved this?

[Gothamite]

Goodell folded.

If Mr. Concerned Player had in fact made a donation proportional to the press he's receiving over this, I suspect we'd know about it. A man inclined to wear this costume out of "tribute" isn't generally interested in avoiding the spotlight.

The whole pathetic affair reminds me of that moment in Truth or Dare when Madonna is asked if she'd like to speak to her doctor off-camera and Warren Beatty shrewdly asks what, then, would be the point for her?

[Jinjoe]

Madonna? Truth or Dare, somehow worked into a sports logos forum? I don't whether to be impressed, or perplexed. Maybe both.

[TruColor]

Official ribbon...for the site:

[nuordr]

Roddy White

I think that the players wanting to represent the memory of the victims of 911 is an awesome thing. Heck, I believe the league should have made special gloves and shoes for anyone who wanted to forgot those that were lost. Good ups to the players who do not care about fines, but care about the brave men and women who give their life everyday.

too bad wearing festive gloves and shoes does nothing of the sort

Sure it does! It's called HONOR!

[JTernup]

The people saying they should be fined are the same cynical old bahumbugs who complain when you put up a flag in your yard when you're not allowed to. Rules are meant to be broken, if it is a necessary cause to the players and they accept any consequences, than who is anybody to say that it is for self promotion. If one person can look at those and say with pride, those players are wearing those gloves and cleats for the loved one I lost, then isn't it worth it? Also if anyone can say thatthe NFL is such a great organization who does the month of pink for anything but promotion then I'd be happy to hear it! #hypocritical

[powersurge]

Exactly. Anyone who "represents" in a way that brings more attention to them than tangible benefit to the actual people involved is a shameless huckster.

Donate cash, Mr. Concerned Player, and then play dress-up games.

I think we can file this in the same category as all of the other tributes that weve argued about in the last few years. They all have seemed more selfish than selfless regardless of the tribute. Is it not enough to simply be part of the entire pre game remembrance as opposed to drawing attention to yourself? Hey, I'm a Bears fan and I think Lance Briggs' so called tribute is total crap. There's absolutely no need to set yourself apart from the rest of the players. If anything, you would want to stand UNITED as people did 10 years ago.

[BigBubba]

Agreed.

[cshookemHORNS]

I think this is being blown way out of proportion it's cleats and gloves on one of the most darkest days in US history the players are being payed millions of dollars to play football I don't think they should have to pay for showing honor or respect just because it's not in the "rule book"

[Cosmic]

Goodell folded.

If Mr. Concerned Player had in fact made a donation proportional to the press he's receiving over this, I suspect we'd know about it. A man inclined to wear this costume out of "tribute" isn't generally interested in avoiding the spotlight.

To all of the people saying that the players should donate money instead of wearing special equipment: NFL fine money goes to charity!

I think this is being blown way out of proportion it's cleats and gloves on one of the most darkest days in US history the players are being payed millions of dollars to play football I don't think they should have to pay for showing honor or respect just because it's not in the "rule book"

Is it really the players making it about them, or is it because the league is fighting them and the media has picked up on the story. If a player just says to a beat reporter in the locker room that they're going to wear special gloves and cleats and they'll just pay the fine, does that necessarily make it about them? All of the manufactured controversy is what's putting the focus on the player. Certainly, there is a way to do this and make it be all about you, the player. I honestly haven't been following the news articles or Twitter beyond "player going to wear stars and stripes, willing to pay fine" to know which case we have here.

If the NFL had some inviolate history of limiting all "non-football stuff" (for lack of a better word) with the uniforms to helmet decals or uni patches, then I think I would feel differently. The NFL is very strict with its branding and I would understand if they wanted everything the players wore to support the team/league brand... but when the NFL is sponsoring (mandating?) the same idea in three weeks to support breast cancer awareness for five games out of a sixteen game season and has done so for multiple years, it just seems a little strange to oppose the players here. Does the league realize they're opening their season on the 10th anniversary of one of the worst days in the country's history?