saintz08

LEAGUE LOOKING TO LIFT HAIRLINES?



Mike Freeman of The Florida Times-Union reports that, per NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, "at least one NFL team executive plans to propose regulating the length of hair hanging from a player's helmet on game day."



The issue recently arose in a report on CBS, and Aiello clarified that the league isn't pressing for a rule regarding hair length, but that some individual teams are.



In our assessment, such a rule can't be imposed unless the league gets behind it. Per Article VII, Section 2 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement: "Clubs may make and enforce reasonable rules governing players' appearance on the field and in public places while representing the Clubs; provided, however, that no player will be disciplined because of hair length or facial hair." (Emphasis added.)



So no team can impose a hair length limit, and the NFL cannot implement such a policy absent the agreement of the union. The real question, then, is whether the NFL wants to make concessions in other areas of dispute in exchange for the right to control hair length. And even if Gene Upshaw personally doesn't care whether Troy Polamalu's mane eventually will be long enough to enable him to remove Charmin from his shopping list, the union will oppose any effort to change Article VII, Section 2 because opposing it will give them leverage elsewhere.



Frankly, we don't buy the argument that long hair prevents the player's name from being seen on his jersey. First of all, the last name of the player is irrelevant to game play; only the number needs to be visible. Second, do you think anyone doesn't know that Polamalu is the dude on the Steelers with the black hair cascading out from under his helmet? Third, if the player doesn't care that his name is being covered up, why should anyone else?



The notion that the hair might present a safety issue has a bit more merit. But the only guys at risk are the guys who might get pulled down from behind. If they're willing to assume that risk, again, why should anyone else care?



In our view, this is all about aesthetics. Some of the craggy old white guys who run the league don't like to see long hair on men. Period. So we think that the league office will listen to what the teams have to say on the issue, but that in the end there will not be an effort to change the CBA on this point.

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo