NFL Now Threatening to Fine Teams for Rambunctious Mascots

With all that is wrong with the NFL, from steroid use to cheating scandals to dreadful officiating, commissioner Roger Goodell has decided the league's most important issue is ... mascot mischief on the sidelines? Really? Perhaps this is a calculated misdirection by the politically savvy Goodell to steer our attention, if only momentarily, away from the problems that currently have fans -- particularly those with gaming interests -- screaming "CONSPIRACY!" on a weekly basis.

Assuming any of this is true, it then makes perfect sense that the NFL would set their sights on Rowdy, described by the Dallas Morning News' Tim MacMahon as the "Cowboys' lovably obnoxious mascot." You see, his ass is now grass.

That darn rabble-rouser got himself on double-secret probation with the NFL. His trouble started when T.O. and Rowdy exchanged a chest bump after a touchdown in the Monday night game against the Eagles.

Some uptight NFL dudes got their britches in a bunch about prearranged celebrations involving mascots and threatened to slap the Cowboys with a five-figure fine. Jerry Jones ... eventually decided that it'd be in the Cowboys' best interests to minimize the mascot's exposure during games.

Rowdy is banished to the locker room except for pregame and a brief third-quarter appearance to fire T-shirts into the crowd.

Good God, this is what it's come to? A group of grouchy, uptight NFL suits sitting around a conference table plotting ways to make games even more boring? Look, mascots are completely useless, but of all the things that need fixing, the NFL brain trusts are targeting Rowdy for a prearranged celebration with Terrell Owens? Um, yeah, that makes sense.

Or as one commenter on the DMN Cowboys blog asked: "I wonder...when the NFL suits get the mascot crisis under control, will they then have time for things like pre-union player pensions and consistent, competent officiating?"

Seemingly reasonable question, and one that I fully expect the league to ignore. Because, you know, they're too busy eradicating the fringe element from the game. It's the Lord's work, after all.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-19-2008 @ 12:33PM

Jose said...

Screw roger goodell.. The nfl has become a weak organization more focused on correctness of some sort.. the suits forget that this is a mans sport and that their wussy ways are only hurting the league.. Hey roger, how about sorting out your referees and cheap fines first?

11-19-2008 @ 3:28PM

etirpsha said...

It seems as if some people just don't believe that rules mean anything. Outside the weaselball stadium, they are called criminals and go to jail. If people can't respect the rules, they should go in the closet and play games with themselves.

gen549 said...

How crazy! Is it not funny that they pick the smallest of the problems to try and solve? There will soon be no fans left in the stands for the commissioner to screw with. Back off! Deal with officiating.

11-19-2008 @ 3:29PM

YARB said...

Maybe we need a committee along with the players union to fine Mr. Goodell for every stupid and or wrong fine that he gives out.

Dennis Wayne said...

Dump goodal and replace him with the commish from the more taste league,games would still be great,but less filling.

msir said...

this is why people don't even want to watch nfl anymore, roger is in the process of killing the league. i would rather watch div 1-AA college football than the nfl lately.

Sean said...

This is a complete joke. I remember that the whole point of mascots was supposed to get the crowd pumped up. Last I checked, college football teams often center around their mascots. Sounds to me like Goodell just has a problem with Jerry Jones. He needs to focus on real issues.

11-19-2008 @ 3:30PM

Panthers Fan said...

Come on Goodell, there is so much more in football right now SHOULD be fixed! A MASCOT IS NOT ONE OF THEM! What has this Nation come to? God I would love to see the old style football the way it was back in the day. Get the fines for "Hits" fixed, get the STEROIDS OUT, Get the troublemakers out but leave the Mascots alone. THAT is the least of your worries. Oh and how about those Refs? I think the Mascots have been around long enough to know the rules instead of GUESSING at them

11-19-2008 @ 4:16PM

hot dog said...

very funny movie. just great.

11-19-2008 @ 5:56PM

Paul said...

Off-Sides NFL !! Foul !

Too Far !! Leave the Mascots alone unless something really
injurious or inciting to the visiting team !

11-19-2008 @ 8:03PM

carmen said...

It's been said a thousand times NFL=No Fun League

11-20-2008 @ 12:34AM

Jeff said...

Rowdy is a pest. He looks like a queer. Stuff him in a locker and forget about him. Crazy Ray was the real Cowboy mascot from the day they opened Texas Stadium, rest his soul.

11-20-2008 @ 1:31AM

yungyung said...

Mascots, touchdown dances, and celebrations make the game more interesting to watch...Goodell should be impeached!!!

11-20-2008 @ 10:37AM

football sam said...

Jerry Jones has become a wuss of the highest sort kow-towing to this type of bs. I would have my mascot chest bumping every player after every excellent play telling goodell exactly what I thought of him.

11-20-2008 @ 1:51PM

Judy said...

Does anyone know the meaning of "Professional" - apparently not when it comes to sports. I am so sick of watching all the little girls dancing around in the endzone or on the field after they have made some sort of play. They think they are so great and try to draw attention to themselves. Not one of them could do what they do with the team as a whole. I say, stop acting like little girls and do your job. As for the mascots - keep them off the field - put them in the stands with the fans. As for the officials - if the players were truly professionals the officiating problems would be much less. You wouldn't have to worry about unneccessary roughness, personal fouls, etc because they would be more interested in playing well and playing CLEAN. As for the cheerleaders - put your clothes on. I have no desire to see some 1/2 naked girl dancing around on the sidelines. Come to think about it, I don't want my husband or children seeing that either. You can get and keep the crown into the game without showing so much skin - and showing less skin would make it a much more family friendly environment. I know alot of people who like football but do not go to games (even though they could afford to) because of the sex and the beer. Let's go back to the playing the game.