The NFL released a 17-page document to its teams Thursday detailing its policies on league fines and discipline. You can read it here or peruse the highlights below.
1. The minimum fine for a late hit, chop block, face mask or "striking/kicking/kneeing" is equal to the minimum fine for having an improper chin strap ($7,500).
2. Don't show up late to the Pro Bowl team photo. It'll cost you a cool $500.
3. A warning about profanity:
"Coaches and players should keep in mind that every NFL game is broadcast on radio and�television, and that there are open microphones near the playing field as well as closeup camera shots that permit easy lip-reading by viewers. The League and its participants�are severely criticized whenever obscene or profane language or obscene gestures are�carried or shown on the air."
No mention of announcers. You skated on this one, Jaws!
4. This picture:
Two other tips to take away from the visual aid: 1) Quarterbacks, don't drop back to pass with your head tucked down like a turtle. 2) Defenders, watch where you put your left hands during hits of defenseless players.
5. The introduction to the section on fighting begins (bold and italics theirs): "The NFL policy on fighting is very simple. "Don't fight, and if a fight breaks out involving other players, stay away."
The least they could have done is come up with a clever rhyme. "Be alright, don't join fights," would have sufficed.
6 "Banned gestures include but are not limited to: throat slash; machine gun salute; sexually suggestive gestures, prolonged gyrations; or stomping on a team logo."
I shudder to think what happens if a player was sexually suggestive in his machine gun salute whilst gyrating in a prolonged manner. Goodell might ban him Pete Rose-style.
7. In regards to taunting: "The use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams" is restricted. If the NFL actually followed this policy, the Ravens and Steelers would have had a dual-forfeit last Sunday.
8. Two on-field actions are considered so egregious that there are no fines listed, only �a warning that partaking in such actions will lead to commissioner review. They are throwing a gang sign and wearing a non-sanctioned NFL logo. Priorities!
9. For a 17-page document with expressly-written rules, the whole thing manages to be tremendously vague. There are enough loopholes in the section on repeat offenders, for instance, that putting players in the stocks could theoretically be on the table. (Sample line: "Fines listed are minimums. Other forms of discipline, including higher fines, suspension and banishment may also be imposed.") In short, the NFL has a lot of a leeway to fine players the way it sees fit, just like usual.
Boston Red Sox Paul Pierce San Diego Padres Boston Celtics Phil Mickelson
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