I have long been a critic of “excessive celebration” violations in the NFL and the growing crude and thuggish conduct of players. While some may view me a bit prudish, I find it incredibly offensive to see NFL players (or entertainers at games) swearing and making offensive gestures as millions of people, including children, are watching. The latest such transgression was committed by Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin who decided to pretend that he was defecating on a ball in Super Bowl XLIX last Sunday. While the network quickly cut away, my family (including my kids) immediately saw and understood what Baldwin was doing. Even my nine-year-old thought it was “disgusting.” The Seahawks seem determined that they will, to use their motto, “leave no doubt” that they will not comply with minimal standards of conduct in the NFL.
The Seahawks have been in news continually over the conduct of its players who are viewed by many as out of control. There is no question about their talent, but the Seahawks have a serious problem with players who seem incapable of acting like adults, let alone professionals, during and after games. Last year, many of us were critical of the conduct of Richard Sherman who was fined for his conduct in an interview on the field. Sherman has continued his taunting and unprofessional commentary this season. However, it was his teammates who drew more fines. While I support Marshawn Lynch for his refusal to speak with the media, he should have been fined for his insistence on grabbing his crotch to celebrate plays. Instead of yielding to a reasonable request that he not make offensive gestures at the Superbowl, Lynch and his supporters made it a game to donate any fine amount to charity to encourage him to grab his crotch.
Now we have Baldwin who thinks it is funny to pretend that you are defecating on the ball. The former Stanford University wideout did the act after a touchdown pass in the third quarter in the Superbowl when he stood over the ball on the ground and made a motion that resembled pulling down his pants, before squatting over the ball. How clever.
The blame for this record clearly falls on Pete Carroll who seems unwilling to stand up to his elite players (a tendency that is only likely to worsen as he hunkers down after a moronic call that likely cost his team the Superbowl win on Sunday). What is clear is that Carroll will not impose any discipline on his team (which is also why the Seahawks are the most penalized team in the NFL with 416 in three seasons). This includes a fistfight at the end of the Super Bowl that gave Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin the distinction of being tossed out of a Super Bowl.
Baldwin should have been tossed out of the game. He obviously should be fined (if not suspended) but the question is whether the NFL needs to explore a team sanction for the Seahawks for their conduct during the season. There is a culture of juvenile and uncivil conduct on the team. I have complained for years that stadiums have been taken over the lowest common denominator of drunks and thugs. The same trend is occurring on the field with the players. I am not ready to give up on the notion of minimal requirements of civility and maturity from players. The NFL needs to be even more aggressive on player misconduct. Indeed, I think the loosening of the rule on celebration has fueled juvenile players like Baldwin. I truly love football and I love watching it with my kids. As I have said earlier, I no longer go to stadium so that they are not exposed to loud, swearing, drunken fans that now are so common. The players however are making it increasingly difficult to watch the games when you have to worry that a Seahawks wide receiver is going to pretend to be relieving himself on a ball.
I realize that there are people who think that his sophomoric conduct is really really funny. The question is whether the NFL will join a race to the bottom with the Seahawks or whether it will force owner Paul Allen, Carroll and others to reintroduce an element of professionalism on their team. It is a bad sign when a network under obscenity rules has to cut away rather than let people see the conduct of your players at the Superbowl.
Source: CBS
First, before anything is done to the players, Carroll must be drawn, quartered, burned, and his ashes thrown to the pigs. That was the stupidest call ever made or at the very least tied for first place. The best running back in football, a quarterback who routinely makes dozens of yards, one yard to go, three chances, and he calls, throw it to a guy in the middle of a dozen other guys. It will take a while.
Next, the sport is all about money, role models, and sidelining almost everything to make it to the ‘bigs’. It is rare to have a player like Steve Young who gets a law degree in the off season. So, fine the teams in the hundreds of thousands, bench the players for a minimum of five games, deduct the commensurate compensation for the benched games, etc. etc. etc. Hit them where it hurts. It will soon stop.
Donate the money to Girls and Boys Clubs, Boys Town, etc. etc. etc .
Oh yeah, spread some old tires, rocks, railway ties, etc. out on the field and make the players play every play until they turn over the ball. This pampering of a player that catches a ball or makes a run by him going to the sideline to rest is something to be ashamed of. Watch a rugby game sometimes. Watch a soccer game. Those guys are out there for 90 minutes straight. Given the time in-between plays, it just doesn’t make it when a football player makes a play and then goes off for a rest.
Edward, I don’t feel compelled to cheer for a team, something my bride can’t fathom. I can watch a game not giving a rat’s ass who wins, and enjoy it immensely. I didn’t care who won the Super bowl. That said, could you find more of a contrast between 2 coaches than Carroll and Belichick? The press LOVE the phony and HATE the iconoclast. The phony gives the press what they want. Belichick gives them the finger. I am not a Belichick fan, but I don’t hate him either. What I like about the guy is he does not give a rat’s ass what the press thinks of him. Carroll kisses the press ass and they return the favor. That’s the way it works in politics as well.
Nick,
A TOTAL phony. But you’re right…he rarely gets called out for it. I’m not a Patriots fan, but I was amused by everyone who jumped on the Seattle bandwagon because “cheaters shouldn’t win.” Anyone who said that revealed themselves to me as someone completely unfamiliar with Pete Carroll and all he represents.
Everything about the Seahawks, from their players to their fans, screams trash. I don’ t know why there’s a race to replace Philly as the worst team and fans in the NFL, but they sure are trying.
In all fairness, nick, who hasn’t porked a USC cheerleader?
Edward, What is so disturbing to me is how so many people can’t see what a phony Carroll is. He SCREAMS phony. That does explain how many politicians, from both parties, get elected.
Oddly, no one’s taking about the truly important issue: What was the psi on Baldwin’s turdball?
Nick-Your memory is correct. First class scumbag.
Edward, IIRC, Carroll liked to pork cheerleaders.
Anyone familiar with Pete Carrol’s reign as the head coach of USC should not be remotely surprised by his team’s lack of discipline and antics (both on and off the field). The guy is a joke.
You’ve got to understand that Baldwin and Thomas received a substandard education.
You have this, but you don’t have the benchslap the 9th Cir. gave the Riverside D.A. over prosecutorial misconduct almost demanding the criminal charges be filed. Benchslap has video as well.
Football happens.
Last year when JT stood up to the Richard Sherman antics he was accused by some race enablers here as being racist. Black people I know DETEST the thuggish antics by black athletes. Pete Carroll is a phony. He is a “players coach” which in his case means he wants to be all their friends. A coach or a parent can’t be their players or children’s friend. Between this buffoon and Richard Sherman one has to wonder about the elite status of Stanford.
It is the sign of our times that personal responsibility and personal conduct are not a prerequisite for entrance into the entertainment industry, which includes football. Football, after all is just show business. When a nation is leaderless what can we expect from the wandering herd?
Dang…I meant “Rafflaw”….dyslexic fingers I tells ya….
Raflaw …. this is too much, now I am agreeing with both you and Issac! 🙂 (on another thread) This just has to be a good day!
The immature men and women who watch this behavior and find no fault with it going on in front of their children and others, shows exactly where our country is today. Morals and values are “gone with the wind”.
Time to do a little “cause and affect” with the NFL’s lack of responsibility along with all the cash they are bringing in. Personally, I am not happy with the NFL’s politics lately or where they have been investing their money – so a little “not spending” in the name of football might help some of these goons get a grip.
The player should be gone and the Seahawks should be fined for his actions as well. Not to mention the Seahawk player who was tossed from the game after starting a brawl when the Patriots had the game won.
Professor Turley said…
While some may view me a bit prudish,…
Not me. Your viewpoint is precisely why I no longer watch much football, pro or NCAA Div 1. And I assure you “prudish” is the very last thing anyone who knows me would call me. Such “demonstrations” are no part of sports per se. I equate with Miley Cyrus & “Tweaking.” So I guess I am a “prude” as well 🙂 Good to know I am in good company.