Why do I feel this could a nightmare if it's passed:
The National Football League may adopt a rule that penalizes teams 15 yards when one of their players uses the N-word on the field.
While I understand the need to look at language on and off the field because these players are seen as role models, I'm not sure this is something that can be policed effectively on the field.
Imagine this: The Green Bay Packers are down by five points with five seconds to go in a playoff game against the New York Giants. It's fourth and goal from the one. Aaron Rodgers hands the ball off to Eddie Lacy, and the running back pounds the ball in for a touchdown.
But wait....
The line judge heard someone on the Packers using the N-word and throws a flag. The guilty party yelled "That's my nigga!" when Lacy scored.
It was a term of endearment toward the black running back from a white teammate, whom he hugged after the go-ahead score.
The Packers are penalized 15 yards, and the ball is placed on the 16-yard line. On the next play, Rodgers is sacked, and the Packers lose.
Do you fault the player? Pop culture? Should a white person ever use the N-word in any context? What if the player who yelled "That's my nigga!" was a black teammate? Does the ref throw a flag?
