What would the NFL do if..
 

Saints Fans put bounties on opposing players, and advertised those bounties? There wouldn't have to be an award, just some sort of fan memorialization in the Dome, in clear sight of the opposing bench.

Would they kick fans out? Would they "secret police" them - take season tickets away, threaten prosecution? Petition the Feds for a suspension of Habeus Corpus, throwing the suspects into a cell in Guantanamo? How would they stop this?

Goodell officially declared war on Saints football and its fanbase. The nature of the punishment went entirely to justifying an extreme and tenuous "moral" position of intent to harm in a game where every interaction between opposing players is an intent to harm.

G504 noted in another thread that severe punishments have done nothing to deter the "crimes", just caused them to mutate. Revolution usually occurs when the punishment appears to arbitrary and severe, designed to subordinate one class in a way where remediation is not possible.

If the fanbase fights back, then what?

Not if dude, WHEN!!! We will have our say, and that Dome will be buzzing!!!

Very nicely put, Xan! Excellent post.

Alaska

If fans did something that arguably put players in danger, then the consequences might be similar to the 2001 MNF game at the dome vs the Rams. Arrests, losing your tickets, etc are all possibilities. Not a cool idea but I understand everyone's frustration.

Back in the Millen-era, "Fire Millen" signs and other fan signage considered less then positive was banned, removed or taken at the gates of Lions home games. That policy remains in affect to this day. Probably the same would apply in this case ... but there has to be a way.

As long as it's not vulgar, it should be allowed. You can bet the Dome will have it's say ALL YEAR.

I like it.

Revolution !

I seem to recall a former 49er player placing a bounty on Drew's head during the playoffs. Where was the almighty Goodell then?!

The NFL wouldn't do anything. The Saints organisation would, though, because in spite of everything the ownership doesn't actually want to be the team they all hate. If posters are to be banned, if season tickets are to be suspended, it's the New Orleans Saints' office that would do it. (Taking down the "Fire Millen" posters was Lions' policy, not the League's.)

Of course, if any player actually took the money, he'd get a life ban.