The Amish NFL???
America loves football - specifically the brand of football produced by the National Football League (NFL) .
In fact, research shows that the number of football fans in this country continues to grow faster than in any other professional sport.
The action, strategy, athleticism – and let’s be honest – the violence, makes the NFL must-see-TV for most households in this country every Sunday during the football season.
It’s interesting, however, to note that several developments during the past few months may lead some fans to think the NFL leadership has some pro-Amish leanings.
Let me explain.
I’m not asserting that the league will be swapping out helmets for quaint Amish straw hats or make players travel to games by horse and buggy - but consider the following Amish-esque policies the NFL has recently enacted.
Shunning
Head coach for the New Orleans Saints, Sean Payton, has just begun a season-long suspension at the hands of the NFL administration for allowing his defensive players to systematically target and injure competing players via paid “bounties” offered by assistant coaches.
While Payton kept his job, the punishment forbids him from engaging or even talking to anyone associated with the NFL from now through the Super Bowl in 2013. Now if that’s not the same as an old-fashioned, Amish shunning I’ll gladly change my name to Jedidiah Zechariah Stolzfus.
Less Violence
Last year the NFL rules committee announced a change in kick-offs, requiring these plays occur at the 35-yard line to slow player speeds and reduce the risk of severe injuries – specifically concussions. This rule change seeks to make one of the most exciting plays in football, less violent.
And now, team owners and league officials are discussing eliminating kick-offs altogether to further reduce violent collisions. The NFL seems to be getting in touch with its inner pacifist, similar to the non-violent Amish who practice a pacifistic lifestyle.
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