The National Football League says fans that make racially insensitive comments will be banned from attending future games.
This newly suggested policy is a response to an alleged fan/player exchange following Monday night’s game in Kansas City.
Washington Redskins receiver Terrell Pryor claims that he was called the “n-word” by a fan as he was headed towards the locker room. Pryor says that is what ultimately led to the now viral video – showing him throw up the middle finger, before saying “F*ck you!” to a group of fans.
The video shows he then raised his helmet as if he were going to throw it at them, before a team staffer escorted him towards the locker room before things could escalate.
The 28-year-old Pryor has released a statement via Instagram to explain his side of the story, saying “…at some point you keep calling us The N Word..we going to start acting up…”
Here’s the full statement:
“Being called (the N-word) several times to the point where an NFL employee had to step to me and stand by me the whole game from the 2nd quarter on is the exact reason why guys are kneeling during anthem. I choose not to kneel because as a team we decided to be the one and stand … but as I walked in tunnel hearing some one call me (the N-word) and say F you to me..me flicking the person off is more deserving. I do apologize to my teammates and the organization. But at some point you keep calling us The N Word .. we going to start acting up. #straightlikethat”.
I do not believe that Terrell Pryor made the story up. But, right now there’s no proof of it. Pryor can thank fellow national anthem kneeler Michael Bennett for the public’s skepticism of racism claims.
The NFL says if they do find substantial evidence, and can identify the accused fan(s), they’ll never step foot inside a stadium again.
League spokesman Joe Lockhart said, “We are looking into all aspects of it and we will report back when we have concluded that review. We have no tolerance for racial comments directed to anyone. Those fans are not welcome to come back this week, next week, or any time.”
As an American business, I have no problem with the NFL banning whomever they chose from attending their games. If Terrell Pryor’s accusations are true, the fan’s actions were obviously grotesque. But, I also wonder if Pryor sees the irony of his alleged claims of racism.
He is outraged by a racial slur from a fan, while simultaneously playing for a team that (many could argue) represents a racial slur. I’m not making a case to force a Redskins nickname change at all. I’m simply pointing out the hypocrisy.
Truly commendable advocates for “social injustice of minorities” (as many NFL players now claim to be) should mean supporting ALL minority injustices equally.