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Richard Sherman Says NFL’s Proposed N-Word Ban ‘Almost Racist’
Newsone ^ | Mar 4, 2014 | D.L. Chandler

Posted on 03/04/2014 5:04:01 PM PST by nickcarraway

St. Louis Rams at Seattle SeahawksThe NFL Competition Committee has been engaged in talks since last Friday, discussing a variety of issues important to the league. One such matter is the proposed 15-yard penalty on players using the “N-word” on the field. Seattle Seahawks player Richard Sherman (pictured) is against the ban of the word, calling the potential rule “almost racist” in an interview.

According to Sports Illustrated’s MMBQ, there remains a chance that the N-word ban may not go into effect but there could be a higher focus on language during games by officials. As it stands, the committee will weigh the option of referees giving players a warning before issuing any deeper penalties.

Sherman, the outspoken defensive player and All-Pro, feels such a ban is unnecessary. The Stanford graduate and Compton native shared his thoughts with MMBQ in his typical brash fashion.

“It’s an atrocious idea,” said Sherman. “It’s almost racist, to me. It’s weird they’re targeting one specific word. Why wouldn’t all curse words be banned then?”

Sherman supported his argument by saying that the tone of the word and how it’s used determines the racist nature of the word. Sherman arguers that using the n-word with “er” is offensive versus ending it with “ga,” which is used often as a term of endearment among many African-Americans. Sherman isn’t the only player who feels that n-word ban is too bold a step for the NFL.

“It’s a common word in so many players’ everyday lives,” said Tennessee cornerback Jason McCourty. “Among African-American players and people, it’s used among friends all the time. It seems like a bit much for the NFL to try to get rid of it.”

Another player didn’t outright support the use of the word, but did add that officials already have to watch a series of actions on the field during the contests and now will have to monitor the mouths of players, too.

The Fritz Pollard Alliance, a group that has been at the forefront of promoting equality and diversity in the NFL, has led the charge in getting the N-word removed from the game. Alliance chairman John Wooten, a former NFL All-Pro, and executive director Harry Carson, a NFL Hall Of Fame inductee, both endured racism, especially Carson, who was raised in South Carolina.

Carson and Wooten said they are taken aback that players have been resistant to their idea, and added that current African-American players dishonor themselves and others before them by using the term.


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: nfl; racism; slur

1 posted on 03/04/2014 5:04:01 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

I hope they push this all the way through the firewall.

They won’t, though. They’ll walk it back. From there, a quick snap to the memory hole and that’s all she wrote.


2 posted on 03/04/2014 5:06:45 PM PST by Steely Tom (How do you feel about robbing Peter's robot?)
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It is racist because it will disproportonately affect the teams with the greatest number of black players


3 posted on 03/04/2014 5:08:37 PM PST by dsrtsage (One half of all people have below average IQ. In the US the number is 54%)
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To: nickcarraway

Rush had a hilarious take on this.

What if both sides are penalized for saying the N-word on the same play? Do they off-set and you just replay the down? It may never end.

LOL!


4 posted on 03/04/2014 5:11:03 PM PST by eyedigress ((zOld storm chaser from the west)/ ?s)
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To: nickcarraway

Does this qualify as ‘full circle?’


5 posted on 03/04/2014 5:11:51 PM PST by servo1969
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To: nickcarraway

blacks are pissed if you use thge n-word.

now they are pissed the n-word is banned.

this is how moronic this country is under decades of libtard control of education, courts and government.


6 posted on 03/04/2014 5:12:36 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: nickcarraway

Isn’t it MMQB? Monday Morning Quarterback, not Monday Morning Barbecue.


7 posted on 03/04/2014 5:14:00 PM PST by Defiant (Let the Tea Party win, and we will declare peace on the American people and go home.)
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To: eyedigress

I think in that case there would be an audio instant replay with linguistic software to determine who uttered the “n” first. They could have one of those clocks that shows milliseconds on the screen. And in case of a tie, the could look at the ending of the word to be sure it wasn’t the “ga” pronunciation, which as we all know is perfectly ok and not racist when uttered by a black.


8 posted on 03/04/2014 5:20:57 PM PST by bigbob (The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly. Abraham Lincoln)
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To: dsrtsage
It is racist because it will disproportonately affect the teams with the greatest number of black players?

LOL, am I correct in assuming that would be every team in the league?

9 posted on 03/04/2014 5:21:03 PM PST by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Vet 70-71 Msgt US Air Force, retired)
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To: nickcarraway

I do agree with the point that if they are going to ban anything, then ban all obscenities, profanities, and racial epithets.


10 posted on 03/04/2014 5:21:12 PM PST by Burkean (.)
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To: nickcarraway

Well, just as in real life, who is the group most likely to use the word?

I seriously cannot remember the last time I heard a white guy say “n****r”.

But if you listen alot, you STILL hear it just about every day!


11 posted on 03/04/2014 5:24:55 PM PST by djf (OK. Well, now, lemme try to make this clear: If you LIKE your lasagna, you can KEEP your lasagna!)
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To: bigbob

If that is the case then the retaliation gets the penalty.

It could turn out to be a mass N-word brawl clearing both benches and ending the game.


12 posted on 03/04/2014 5:37:18 PM PST by eyedigress ((zOld storm chaser from the west)/ ?s)
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To: djf

My grandmother from the old country (RIP) would use it and I would cringe. As in “That nice nigger girl across the street...”.

It is amazing the double standard for using the word. I wonder if they will have slow motion replays?

“Ok Frank, lets listen again. It is hard to tell, but I think there is an ‘er’ sound there - but I don’t know. I’m not sure that is irrefutable evidence, so then the rule on the field stands.”


13 posted on 03/04/2014 5:38:00 PM PST by 21twelve (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2185147/posts 2013 is 1933 REBORN)
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To: nickcarraway

Let me guess how this rule will be enforced.

If you are a black player and say the n-word to another black player,
no penalty will be called.

However, if you are a white player and call a black player the n-word,
the white player will not only be ejected from the game, but gangs
will burn his house down.


14 posted on 03/04/2014 5:44:26 PM PST by tennmountainman (Just Say No To Obamacare)
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To: nickcarraway

What if the player is from the Northeast, where people constantly switch er & a on words??


15 posted on 03/04/2014 5:44:29 PM PST by CMailBag
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To: 21twelve

Simple fact is players being wired up won’t last the first half of the season.

Give away too much info to the opponent! No coach would put up with that.


16 posted on 03/04/2014 5:45:11 PM PST by djf (OK. Well, now, lemme try to make this clear: If you LIKE your lasagna, you can KEEP your lasagna!)
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To: nickcarraway

I agree - “hunky” is just as offensive to people of Slavic background, bet that will still be allowed.


17 posted on 03/04/2014 5:46:16 PM PST by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite it's unfashionability)
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