With Players Locked Down, Fans Next on NFL "To Control" List
- By Vic Busey
- Published 08/6/2008
- Offseason NFL Football News
Fans Partying As of Tuesday, the National Football League has enacted a code of conduct to ensure the league's image stays as squeaky-clean as interminable arrests of players may allow. The difference is that the new rules are not a tightening of or an addition to the existing players' code of conduct; instead, these guidelines apply to fans.
The NFL, often referred to as the "no fun league", prefers to be in control of every aspect of its product. Fans' conduct in stadiums will now be included.
Conduct that may now result not only in ejection, but being barred from attending future games includes "illegal or disruptive behavior, foul or abusive language or obscene gestures, and interference with progress of the game, including throwing
Verbal as well as physical harassment of players is another no-no; drunkenness is also cited.
Some of these rules seem to be common sense, and should have been enforced by stadium personnel regardless of any league proclamation. However, the league finds itself once again playing at self-deception and riding a fine line when discussing drunkenness.
Beer companies are among football's top sponsors for a reason. To ignore the link between drinking and watching football would be like ignoring the sport's ties with gambling, or the troubled backgrounds of many players. Oops.
Well, the league may strive to portray itself as a shining sea of Disneyfied robots; hopefully, it treads carefully in its relationship with the fans who support it.
