The NFL may ban the use of the N-word during games next season, but it does not sound like the Seattle Seahawks are going to stop using it in the locker room. On Monday, Richard Sherman called outlawing the N-word an “atrocious idea” that is “almost racist” in itself. Doug Baldwin seems to feel the same.
“I think it’s absurd,” Baldwin said Monday night, per Todd Dybas of The News Tribune. “I understand Roger Goodell and his safety council, or whoever they are, they’re trying to do this with good intentions. … Maybe. But, if you look at it, the only people who say the N-word on the football field are African-Americans. Whether whoever wants to agree with it or not, we have turned it kind of into a term of endearment.”
Like Sherman, Baldwin questioned the idea of banning one word when there are so many other inappropriate and derogatory things said on a football field during the course of a game.
“So, for the rule to specifically to hone in on one word, it’s kind of odd to me when there’s so many other things that are more offensive that have been said on the football field,” he said. “That word, like you’ve heard many guys say, they’ve never heard it towards them in a disrespectful way (on the field). It’s more of a term of endearment. Never heard it from the opposite race, so the only people they are really going at are African-Americans.
“If you want to ban offensive language, let’s ban all offensive language. Not one particular word that is only used by one particular group.”
It’s hard to argue with that. Whether you agree with the modern day use of the N-word or not, it seems ridiculous to ban a single word when so many others are thrown around. My guess is the rule will hardly ever be enforced even if it goes through. Referees can always pretend they didn’t hear it.
