NFL Investigating Players Using Gang Signs During Games

The picture to the right is the one that I used this morning in talking about Peyton Manning's knee surgery. He is wildly gesticulating like he usually does at the line, but perhaps it is something more sinister.

In an article today in the LA Times, Sam Farmer says that the NFL is reviewing tapes to see if NFL players are using gang signs during games. Apparently, they have already spoken to a few players about it, and it was a subject that came up during the rookie symposium.

One of the difficulties in detecting gang signals is that gang signs can also mean different things:

"Guys come from all over the country, and who knows what they're really doing?" said Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Dennis Northcutt, adding he cannot remember seeing a gang gesture in his nine NFL seasons. "People have got signs for their kids, signs for their fraternities. How do you differentiate who's really throwing up gang signs?"

Northcutt gave an example.

"This is a gang sign," he said, touching his index finger to his thumb to form a squished OK sign. "But at the same time, it's a sign for a personnel group."

So, I guess Peyton Manning in the above picture is directing traffic, or saying what coverage the defense is using, or asking to give peace a chance, or signaling Dallas Clark to go gangster on someone.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-16-2008 @ 3:32PM

Di said...

K. Brett will stay in Green Bay. If not, there will be alot of empty seats in Lambeau. Fans owe part of the team and, as misguided as it might sound, the owners want to fill those seats. I know. Once you retire, you should stay retired, but this is a QB of a different color and we should all recognize that this is business...and they want to fill seats...and that's the name of that tune.

7-16-2008 @ 5:42PM

James Martin said...

DI...... I think your on the wrong site, no Brett Favre talk here.

7-16-2008 @ 6:32PM

soulcitysigma1914 said...

I am a member of a black collegiate fraternity and all five of the major black frats (there are only 5) have hand gestures, so I am glad Northcutt made a mention of this and the NFL MUST take that under consideration. I'm quite sure I've seen Hines Ward of Phi Beta Sigma throw the sign at least once. Kappa Alpha Psi uses the sign that Northcutt is talking about in the article; Kappas also join their hands together to form a diamond sometimes, and I believe I've seen Larry Johnson (a Kappa) do this, although it may also be the Rockafella Records Dynasty sign.

Shaq throws up Omega Psi Phi signs all the time; i don't know if the NBA is considering anything similar. But a lot of players in the NFL are frat affiliated and the NFL needs to recognize this.

7-16-2008 @ 7:47PM

Adam Jacobi said...

That is an absolutely inspired choice of photos, Ms. Stradley.

7-16-2008 @ 10:40PM

Stephanie Stradley said...

@2 James-
I'm glad someone is paying attention. You always have my back.

@3 soulcitysigma1914-
You make a good point. I hope that there isn't some clown doing the investigations that makes big deals outta stuff that they shouldn't.

@4 Mr Jacobi-
It's all about cracking myself up. I am easily amused. That's why I hang out with you guys.

Thanks all for reading and commenting,
Steph