I was out of town when the NFL rolled out their new Personal Conduct Policy. I was shocked when I heard how strict it was. Apparently teams now have to have both a Player Code of Conduct and an Owner’s Code of Conduct. I guess they decided that players had to be held to a higher level of behavior than the owners!
As an avid NFL fan I had to read up on the details and see if I agreed that the new policy was appropriate. Well here’s what I found out. According to the official NFL website, the policy is designed to protect the “integrity of the NFL and to ensure a locker room culture centered on respect.” This means that players must be held to a higher standard when it comes to behavior, conduct, and speech.
For example, any player found guilty of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, or any other felony committed with a deadly weapon, will receive a indefinite suspension without pay. If any player is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving impairment or drug use, suspension will also be issued. This same punishment applies to owners as well, with restrictions from attending NFL owned events.
The NFL also has the power to issue suspensions if a player makes comments deemed disrespectful or offensive. This includes remarks such as hate speech, derogatory comments regarding gender, or racial or sexual slurs.
To me the Football League’s Personal Conduct Policy seems like a necessary step in protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of the players and owners. It also encourages respect and sets a high standard for players to strive for. I feel it’s always important to remember to respect not only the game, but everyone involved in it too.
I’ve had to learn this lesson for myself more than once. For instance, back in the day I saw a friend of mine get ejected from the area during a football game for getting into a shouting match with an NFL referee. It was an eye-opening experience for me, and I realized just how important the NFL Personal Conduct Policy was.
But how effective can this policy be? Well that’s up for debate, but I think it’s important to have rules and regulations for players, and owners, to follow. It sets an example for players to follow by showing that there are consequences for bad behavior and it makes sure everyone is held to the same standards.
I’m sure if the NFL had no Personal Conduct Policy, it would be open to chaos and dishonesty. This policy keeps everyone in check and ensures that players and owners are always held accountable for their actions and words.
Now while the majority of the policy focuses on criminal activity and disciplinary actions, there’s also a few good points about it. For example, one of the rules states that no player or owner can play using drugs or alcohol, which encourages safety and a healthy environment. Another Rule states that players must report any equipment or uniform issues before the game, which encourages good sportsmanship by preventing any unfair advantages.
So overall, I’m in favor of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. I think it’s a step in the right direction and sets a great example that current and potential players and owners alike should aspire to. Hopefully one day all NFL players and owners can abide by this policy with no issues and it can help make the game the best it possibly can be.