Tragedy

[Franny]

SI.com - NFL - NFL owners will consider banning long hair - Wednesday March 26, 2008 4:07PM

NFL to consider rule on hair length
Owners will vote on proposal at next week's meetings



Troy Polamalu says he hasn't cut his hair since he was a student at USC in 2000.



NEW YORK (AP) -- Troy Polamalu might not have to worry about getting tackled again by his hair.

At their meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., next week, NFL owners will consider a proposal to ban players from having hair flow from their helmets below their names on the back of their jerseys.

That might affect Polamalu's image, but help him on the field. Two seasons ago, the Pittsburgh safety with the long ponytail had his hair grabbed by Kansas City's Larry Johnson and was thrown to the turf after an interception against the Chiefs.

The rule banning long hair on the field was proposed by Kansas City. It does not require players to get haircuts, but does "require them to tuck it up inside their helmets," said Atlanta president Rich McKay, chairman of the league's competition committee.

Polamalu is the best known of the players, most of them defensive backs, with hair flowing outside their helmets. Others include cornerbacks Al Harris of Green Bay and Mike McKenzie of New Orleans.

Because the rule was proposed by a team, the competition committee did not take a position on it. It will be discussed Monday with a package of other rules.

[osu99jp]

[master_of_muppets]

is it just me, or does the NFL seem to be on the verge of jumping the shark? shit like this, coupled with the celebration rules and off-field issues and contract nonsense with players, makes me wonder if the NFL is near a down-swing soon? just a thought...

[Franny]

Originally Posted by master_of_muppets

is it just me, or does the NFL seem to be on the verge of jumping the shark? shit like this, coupled with the celebration rules and off-field issues and contract nonsense with players, makes me wonder if the NFL is near a down-swing soon? just a thought...

I think the NFL was headed in that direction but interest was high last season because of the Patriots' [failed] attempt at 16-0, an exciting Super Bowl, Brett Favre and other reasons. This year's draft class is sort of weak, Brett Favre is retired and the Patriots are hated - I think you may see a dip in interest levels.

And of course everyone loves Sportshair, so to make all the players cut their hair doesn't help the league gain any new fans!

[osu99jp]

Originally Posted by Franny

I think the NFL was headed in that direction but interest was high last season because of the Patriots' [failed] attempt at 16-0, an exciting Super Bowl, Brett Favre and other reasons. This year's draft class is sort of weak, Brett Favre is retired and the Patriots are hated - I think you may see a dip in interest levels.

And of course everyone loves Sportshair, so to make all the players cut their hair doesn't help the league gain any new fans!

My personal jump the shark moment was when they started playing games overseas. But the excessive "personal appearance" rules are not helping.