The NFL Should Define ‘Political’

Is “Black Lives Matter” a political slogan? Is “End Racism” a political slogan? How about my favorite, “Say Their Stories”? Whose stories exactly? The stories of conservatives or pro-life advocates targeted by the Department of Justice and the FBI, or parents objecting to transgender indoctrination in schools, or the families of victims who were raped or murdered by illegal aliens? Their stories? The preceding are approved slogans by the NFL, meaning that the professional sports league not only has no problem with them but is content that they are emblazoned on the back of football helmets and along the borders of end zones on the playing field. This is also the same NFL that visually and emphatically endorses the LGBTQ+ movement with LGBTQ+ rainbow baseball caps and other apparel, you know, that movement that seeks to indoctrinate young children in public schools. Is that political messaging? Is it permitted to discuss whether the LGBTQ+ movement is a net positive for America or something more vile? If a football player puts the message "Men Cannot Be Women" on his helmet, would this statement of fact be permitted? Not likely. If a player speaks openly in front of the press that he vehemently disagrees with the NFL in its support of LGBTQ+, would he be fined and kicked out of the league?

Apparently, the message “Make America Great Again” is an obvious political message because, yes, it’s the slogan of the Trump campaign and the motto of a political movement whose adherents wish to restore law, order, and common sense in America. The aim is that Americans can prosper, but that has been characterized by Democrats, including Joe Biden, as an extremist movement that endangers the nation and is somehow akin to fascism and white supremacy.

NFL rules forbid the display of any message it deems political – even after a game has been played. San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, one of the most tenacious defensive players in the league, proudly wore and pointed to his Make America Great Again cap behind other 49ers players who were being interviewed after the team’s win over the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL has fined Bosa $11,255 for violating their rules on displays of political messaging. Bosa doesn’t seem to be concerned about the fine (he probably commands a decent salary). He clearly knew that his overt political display would result in a fine. But he may have felt that getting the message out over the air prior to the election was more important and perhaps even because it shows that NFL players haven’t all bought into the groupthink of the NFL when it comes to political causes and movements.

As George Orwell so slyly articulated, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” The same apparently applies to political sloganeering and clear political messaging in the NFL (and the NBA...and MLB)...