Sean Taylor Tribute Leads To A Fine For Steelers Safety Ryan Clark | NFL | Pittsburgh Steelers

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10/30/08

Sean Taylor Tribute Leads To A Fine For Steelers Safety Ryan Clark

Once Again, Roger Goodell's NFL Is Completely Missing The Point

NFL, Rumors, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Sean Taylor, Ryan Clark, Fantasy, Team News / Analysis, Player News / Analysis

Pat

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In yet another move that shows that the NFL has completely lost touch with reality, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark was fined $5,000 for paying tribute to his friend, the late Sean Taylor.

Clark was penalized for "radically modifying his uniform" in his tribute to his former Redskins teammate. What was his "radical modification"? He put the number 21 on his eye black patches.

Clark wears #21 in practices as a tribute to his late friend, and has already petitioned the league to change his number for games as well, which was denied.

This is a classy, tasteful and pretty subtle tribute to a former NFL Pro Bowler by someone who was a friend and teammate, and it seems like the NFL is doing everything they can to stop him. There is nothing right about that at all.

Good luck to Ryan Clark, as he struggles to return to the field after a dislocated shoulder. Good luck to him also in his quest to honor his friend. The NFL is dead wrong on this one, and hopefully they realize it sooner, rather than later.

Steeler Fined $5K For Small Tribute To Sean Taylor [SportsByBrooks]

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10/31/08

100%InjuryRate

But if the NFL suddenly allows him to put 21 on his eye patches, just think of what could happen from there. Suddenly everyone will be wanting to do it, and then it'll progress to something further, like a guy wanting to wear neon green socks, and then a rocket pack. It'll be the downfall of football!

Hmmmm, I just noticed something. My last paragraph sounds almost exactly like the argument against gay marriage. Must be pure coincidence.

10/30/08

kantwistaye

8	Thats just sick to be honest. I know companies often have to be run emotionless, but this goes far over the line.

10/31/08

derms33

8	No WAY Should RC pay that fine!!!! No way he does pay that fine. I can't believe all players from the "U" didn't honor him

10/31/08

billywa

6	The No Fun League strikes a again....

10/31/08

derms33

6	billywa wrote: The No Fun League strikes a again.... That really has nothing to do with fun...its respect

10/31/08

100%InjuryRate

10/31/08

Noah_Hurrle

0	wow, thats pretty stupid, the NFL authorities should at least give him a warning to tell him to contact them before he did it. But he shouldn't get fined for that.

10/31/08

chevleclair

Just what is Goodell trying to prove, here? I understand the tightened rules on behavior and sportsmanship, and tightening the reigns on some of the erratic players in the league, but this is downright stupid. According to Goodell, it's poor behavior to pay tribute to his friend? I mean, the league payed about 30 seconds attention to a real tragedy, and showed about as much compassion as Hitler to a Jewish orphan about it. Back off him, Goodell!

10/31/08

kramer

0	This has to be THE dumbest fine of the year. Why was his request to change his uniform number denied? Goodell is going way too far this time.

10/31/08

Meat_CJ

0	What happens if he wanted to have the number 21 tattooed on his face instead.....does he have to cover that up??? Would the NFL make him put band aids over the numbers every week? This pretty ridiculous on something as small as the eye patches as a tribute nonetheless....

10/31/08

TheRealScore

4	I could understand if this were the F Word or something that was done in tastelessness, but when a player tells you why and it is for the intent of kindness and respect, you have to wonder what the NFL is thinking.

10/31/08

dallas_fan

3	So the 21 on his eye is a "radical" change, but the big GU patch everyone wears isn't? So I guess it is ok to honor Gene Upsahw (not actually complaining about that BTW), but not ok to honor Sean Taylor. What kind of message does this send? Why is Goodell focusing on the wrong things here?

10/31/08

Dalarin

100%InjuryRate wrote:

Or everyone wearing a GU patch on their uniform. C'mon the man was trying to pay tribute a friend and he can't do this but Chad Johnson can change his name to Ocho Cinco?!?! What has the world, or NFL for that matter, come to? Keep fighting Clark!

10/31/08

derms33

100%InjuryRate wrote:

I am assuming that was a joke. white marker across your eye patches? Maybe they shouldn't be allowed to wear that eye black strips at all. The man was an active NFL player when he was murdered. I would tell Goodell to go F*ck himself. Someone else will pay that fine if its not rescinded. Mark Sanchez should be fined by the NCAA for altering his uniform...He put "MOM" on his patches...oh nevermind, we all know USC Athletes aren't PAID

10/31/08

seanpking1

1	(Edited by seanpking1) the NFL??? wrong??? that is blasephemy!!!! don't let adolf goodell hear you talking like that or you may not have the ability to post much longer... what a bunch of clowns...thanks for the info!

10/31/08

100%InjuryRate

derms33 wrote:

Yes, it was a joke.

10/31/08

derms33

0	100%InjuryRate wrote: Yes, it was a joke. yeah i knew it was...But you know Raghib Ismail would have to charge a fortune to use the "Rocket" Pack

10/31/08

blipper21

100%InjuryRate wrote:

First, I think most if not all who read this will agree that this is the wrong move by the NFL. Some of the fines the league doles out for celebrations are questionable, let alone an effort to pay tribute to a friend and former player, and in a pretty tame way at that.

Second, 100%IR, I'm not sure that I can really trust your assertion that you believe in keeping sports and politics separate. You seem to use this sports site for a good deal of political commentary, including this comment about gay marriage. (For the record, my views on gay marriage as a political issue may not be exactly what you would guess, at least not if you went just off of the fact that I'm challenging you on this. Still, I'm not looking to elaborate on that here.)

10/31/08

danny_n94

Is this surprising? The NFL did the same thing to Jake Plummer when he wanted to put his dear friend Pat Tilmans #41 decal on his helmet. He did and was fined. This is a BS tactic by the NFL. I approve what Goddell has been trying to do, but it does really atler anything on the uniform itself. As much as the NFL is worried about public perception this doesnt help. I think the public supports his crack down of players breaking the law, but they miss the boat when friends of deceased players are trying to honor them respectfully.

10/31/08