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

D_it_up

WTF?

xan

The NFL should just shave all the players down and give'm a brand on the ass and a brass ring in their nose.

BoudinSandwich

This is the same sort-of deal that I've dealt with my entire life. You grow up listening to people preaching individuality. "Be yourself," they say. "Don't follow everyone else. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone was the same." You grow up believing that. I did. I got suspended from school and yanked out of graduation for having green hair. That's right. Having green hair one day at school (it was the hairspray kind that washed off in seconds) tempted the principal of my high school to prevent me from graduating.

It was only until I reminded him how hypocritical he was being that he changed his mind and allowed me to graduate. See, he was a long haired hippy back in the 70's. Did he do it just to be different? No, he thought long hair and sideburns were attractive. I thought green hair was attractive at the time.

Ask anyone, I look much better in odd colored spikey hair than I do with a short side-parted haircut. Normal haircuts and styles just don't suit me. I look like a retard in suits and ties.

I totally agree with the opposition of this matter. A hair length rule would be completely unreasonable and unnecessary.

Season Ticket Holder Since 2005

Euphoria

Oldies I agree with you... There has been no injuries reported or deaths during a game due to long hair, don't see a need to change that rule. HOWEVER, when you belong to an 'establishment' you need to conform to it and its rules. You cut me a check for millions of dollars a year, I'll wear anything you tell me to wear and I'll be different at home.

jrmllb

I'm with D_it_up2, WTF?

NFLDiva

Xan, How did you know what I gave 08 for Christmas????



Go ahead 08....Show everyone the Super ***** brand on your ass

BlackandBlue

Yes...show us.

and maybe the diva will show us hers

BoudinSandwich

I do agree with you that if the rule is already there, just suck it up and deal with it or find another job. But, there is no harm in fighting this before it becomes a rule.

Another thing I never mentioned in my high school story is that there was never a hair color rule in the handbook. Our principal wrote it in AFTER the incident and tried to still use it in my case, but I shut that down.

To top it all off, he caught me with green hair while I was taking a picture for the year book. You see, I was voted "Mr. Individuality/Most Original" out of our senior class.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some religions do specify that their followers wear their hair in certain ways. This rule could infringe on some players' religious beliefs.

BlackandBlue

Probably less than 1%, but it is still something that they need to account for.