I just got wind of a ridiculous story regarding the NFL and Sheldon Brown. It turns out that Sheldon Brown got fined for sporting his
“Jason” mask prior to the Eagles-Saints game this past Sunday. PRIOR TO THE GAME!
How can he be fined for wearing a mask as he came out onto the field? It’s not as if he wore the mask during the game and scared Saints receivers senseless. He just came on to the field wearing it during pregame festivities.
The last time I checked, football was largely about entertainment. If Brown chooses to entertain the fans with a “Jason” mask, he not only should be allowed to, but he should be encouraged to. He should be encouraged to because it helps get the fans into the action more, and it gets them psyched up for the game.
Now it’s not as if I don’t understand the fact that it might be controversial, because I do. But to fine the player upwards of $10,000, I feel is an absurd amount of money. Somebody could have simply told him that donning the mask was inappropriate, and they could have subsequently told him to remove the mask. If he did not listen to the request, then I say, “ok, give him a fine.”
To make a decision like this so quickly without even discussing the situation with Brown prior to penalizing him, I think is out of line and rash. There are things that are much worse than wearing a mask during pregame festivities. One thing, for instance, is FINING somebody $10,000 for WEARING a mask BEFORE a football game.
Filed under: NFL
