Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman has always been open with his criticism of the NFL, and his opinion surely won’t change after he was fined $10,000 for what the league deemed an inappropriate celebration. In Norman’s opinion, that fine is yet another example of the “double standard” that has been set by Roger Goodell and his people.
In an interview with Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier on 106.7 The Fan Thursday, Norman questioned why the NFL has advertising partnerships with alcohol companies if it is so worried about setting an example for children.
“I think we have a double standard as a league,” Norman said. “We say want to be PG [rated] or whatever television show we showing, but at the same time we’re selling beer on TV shows when kids [are] watching. So it’s kind of like, well dang, if that’s the case and that’s good, why can’t we have fun within the game? I mean it’s a barbaric sport. So if you want to be a double standard, like, c’mon, man. Let’s be realistic here. You want to have things the way you want it, but then again, when it comes to us, we can’t have the things we want.”
Norman was penalized 15 yards in Week 4 for mimicking a bow and arrow shot, which is something the league considers a “violent act.” Norman said he does not consider it a reference to violence and noted that New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks has done it several times without penalty.
“I have my reasons as to why I shoot it, too, you know?” he said. “And I think everybody has a justified reason, and our reason is not to hurt nobody or to demonstrate that we’re trying to shoot something. I mean, nah, man. It’s not even that.
“I mean [Cooks] has more of a spiritual about his and why he do it, and I have more of a cultural balance about why I do things, and how I grew up and my whole ties to me and my life and what it means to me. I think everybody has their own way in how and why they do things, but I don’t think nothing is, you know, we’re trying to hurt nobody or try to shoot something.”
Cooks said this week that he will not stop doing the bow and arrow celebration. You can read his explanation here.
Like many other players, Norman does not seem to respect the job NFL commissioner Roger Goodell does. Heck, the Pro Bowl cornerback even defended his team’s heavily-criticized name when he first signed with Washington. We’re not surprised the $10,000 fine got under his skin.
