My buddy and I were discussing the other day a bit about how sports players should take care of their hair, because it seems that in the NFL the rule and regulations are very strict. I think that the most exciting way to show that is to ask why NFL players get fined for having long hair; in the NFL, it’s a pretty common occurrence, and I know that sometimes the fines can be pretty hefty too.
So, what exactly is it that constitutes long hair on an NFL player? It seems like the most common answer is that any hair that falls beneath the top of the jersey is out of bounds. Any hair that goes lower than that can be considered too long, and can result in a hefty fine or suspension from play. This is absolutely crazy to me, I mean, grown men shouldn’t be fined for the length of their hair, right? But evidently, it’s a common enough occurrence that the rule exists.
Not only that, but the fines can be as much as four-digit numbers. I don’t think any grown man should have to pay its entire paycheck to the team just because of the length of their hair. I understand that the team wants to maintain an image, but it’s a little extreme. It honestly puts me off the game sometimes.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. Some teams have actually loosened up their regulations on hair length and have allowed for some part of their players to go for unruly manes. Additionally, some teams have even overturned previous fines or warned players prior to taking a more severe approach. This is a pretty big step forward for the NFL, and I really do hope that more teams take a similar stance.
What do you think about the situation? Does the NFL policy of fines for long hair make sense? In my opinion, it’s a bit extreme. We should be focusing more on hair-styles that are meant to represent the team, and less on denying players the right to express themselves. In the end, NFL players should be able to show up to play in whatever style they want.
When it comes down to it, considering all the hundreds of players in the NFL, it’s really only one or two players that make really outrageous statements with their hair, but those players rarely receive a fine, only attention from the press. I think that NFL players should be able to express themselves in whatever way they want, and that should include their hair.
It should also be noted that although the hair regulation has been challenged by some players, it’s still in place and is being enforced by teams. That means that until it is actually overturned by the league, players should really abide by the rules. As a fan, I really hope that the rules will soon be changed to allow for more self-expression, but until then I wish all my favorites the best of luck.