Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is known as much for the long hair that goes halfway down his back as for anything else. But Polamalu and other NFL players may soon be banned from exposing long hair on the field.Adam Schefter reported on NFL Network that the NFL's competition committee is considering a rule that would bar a player from wearing his hair long enough on the field to obscure his name on the back of his jersey. Players like Polamalu and Jaguars cornerback Rashaen Mathis would either need to get a haircut or figure out a way to stuff all that hair in their helmets throughout a game.
According to Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs proposed the rule change, perhaps motivated by the incident in October 2006, when Chiefs running back Larry Johnson pulled Polamalu's hair to drag him down from behind -- which is legal -- and then held onto the hair after both players hit the ground, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty.
Schefter reports that the Chiefs have argued that the hair requirement should be enforced as a uniform violation, similar to the league's requirements that players wear their socks a certain way. But there's also some support for the rules change from league insiders who believe it's unsafe to have players running around with hair hanging out their helmet.
The 32 teams are expected to vote on the proposed rules change at the league meeting at the end of the month.
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** FILE ** Denver Broncos placekicker Jason Elam, back, kicks a field goal with the help of holder Todd Sauerbrun against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Denver in this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo. Elam has agreed to terms on Friday, March 21, 2008, to kick for the Atlanta Falcons durinG the 2008 NFL season. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 13)
1. Great idea, so annoyed with that look. It's feminine, it's gangsta, it's just wrong. But then again, one of my favorite moments ever was when LJ tackled Troy Poo Poo by his extensions !
Posted at 11:23AM on Mar 21st 2008 by Scott M
2. Hair has never been a problem.
Just another way to exercise some control over the players. And the self-righteous irrelevant fans amongst us will think it such a noble idea, whining about how they have those type of restraints at their "real" jobs.
Too predictable.
Posted at 11:30AM on Mar 21st 2008 by Get a life, bitches!
3. ug! I hate these petty rules. That goes for my Yankees, too.
Posted at 1:02PM on Mar 21st 2008 by Yankees Chick
4. Finally!
It'd be stupid to ban hair flowing out of the helmet, but the length should be limited to no longer than the beginning of one's name. The player's name should at no point be obscured by their du.
Posted at 1:25PM on Mar 21st 2008 by mbyte84
5. Translation: We want all the minorities to look a certain way because the white fans that support the sport would probably like it that way.
It's a good business move, but they are trying to sell it as an on the field issue.
Posted at 1:39PM on Mar 21st 2008 by LB
6. Nice racial paranoia, LB. The NFL hates minorities. That's why all of the league's players are white.
It would be a good rule if somehow long hair affected ticket sales, but it doesn't. What's next, a rule on tatoos?
Posted at 3:14PM on Mar 21st 2008 by PacoGerte
7. Some Cultures have a thing about short hair. The Polynesian and American Indians to be exact, so get over it. Just another excuse to put them under the thumb of the NFL
Posted at 5:25PM on Mar 21st 2008 by Angelia
8. Such a dumb rule. What does covering the name have to do with anything? The number is what is important for calling penalties, etc. It doesn't affect the game. I like the rule against TD celebrations, but this is just dumb.
Posted at 5:30PM on Mar 21st 2008 by tobrien28
9. It's just a simple thing. Put the name down lower than their hair on the Jersey. SIMPLE!!!!!
Posted at 6:01PM on Mar 21st 2008 by Edgar Brown
10. OMG....so they have to cut their hair...This is neither a racial issue or an attempt to have more ticket sales from "white fans". Not everything has to be a racial issue people. Its dangerous, as someone CAN be dragged down from behind by their hair and they could blow out a knee or ankle....just like the horse collar tackle from behind is now illegal for the same reasons. And LB..you idiot..did you just say all of the leagues players are white? What games are you watching?
Posted at 6:07PM on Mar 21st 2008 by daddynik
11. What's the big deal on the hair? Just to see a players name? Some college football teams don't even have a players name.. Let the NFL do something smart for a change like finding a way to prevent concusions or at least minimize them.
Posted at 6:45PM on Mar 21st 2008 by Mac
12. 1. The NFL needs fewer rules, not more.
2. Don't they know that Troy Polamalu is the favorite player of five-year-olds everywhere BECAUSE of his hair. Hey, NFL, that's your future fan base!
Posted at 7:41PM on Mar 21st 2008 by BlueStarDude
13. When New England started Samuel, I was so happy to have a girl on the team. Then Maroney made a second one. Their hair separates them and makes them distinguishable amongst an otherwise huge crowd of white players. Long hair is way too dangerous, if a starter gets benched because of a hair related injury, it is a loss for the entire team. Like with any business, the owners will make the call on this one.
Posted at 9:06PM on Mar 21st 2008 by ciawhite2006
14. Hey, if a player wants to wear long hair outside the helmet and, as a consequence, gets dragged down by his hair, well, that's the cost of long hair!!!!
Posted at 12:52AM on Mar 22nd 2008 by houchens
15. I am all for them doing something with their hair! They dont have to cut it...just tuck it!! In one of their playoff games the Jags player was ruled out of bounds because his HAIR went out!!!
Posted at 5:41AM on Mar 22nd 2008 by Amy
16. HUH
15. I am all for them doing something with their hair! They dont have to cut it...just tuck it!! In one of their playoff games the Jags player was ruled out of bounds because his HAIR went out!!!
Posted at 12:15PM on Mar 22nd 2008 by Bill Walters
17. NEXT IT WILL BE NO HAIR HANGING OUT OF THE JOCK STRAP INFLUENCES GAYLORDS GIVE ME A BREAK.
Posted at 8:04PM on Mar 22nd 2008 by YOUMEMBER
18. they look like idiots
Posted at 9:43PM on Mar 22nd 2008 by wayne
19. The Chiefs as usual are pathetic losers. The long hair didn't cause the penalty. The Chiefs player did
Posted at 9:43PM on Mar 22nd 2008 by Coach Hank
20. To all the folks crying racism, I'd like to quote that master of social eloquence, Archie Bunker, when I say...
"SHUT UP, YOOOUSE!!!"
Posted at 9:44PM on Mar 22nd 2008 by Patrick