49ers linebacker Derek Smith wants to honor the late Pat Tillman by continuing to wear a No. 40 decal on the back of his helmet, but the NFL won't let him.
The request by Smith was rejected as a violation of the league's uniform code.
``Our longstanding policy prohibits putting on personal messages, no matter how worthy the cause may be,'' NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday. ``He can certainly find other ways to honor Pat Tillman.''
Under threat of a $5,000 fine by the league, Smith said he's reluctantly abiding by the NFL's decision, which was relayed to him by equipment manager Steve Urbaniak. Urbaniak had contacted league officials this week on Smith's behalf, seeking permission to wear the decal.
(edited by StaggerLee on 24.9.04 0315) Thank you for your irrelevant opinion.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeNFL Proves to be douchbags
My first thought was: "What else is new?"
This doesn't surprise me at all. Last year they wouldn't let Peyton Manning of the COLTS honor Johnny Unitas by wearting black shoes, and deemed the BALTIMORE F'n RAVENS the only team to "officially" honor Unitas after his death. A team that didn't even exist in Baltimore at any point during Unitas' career. A franchise that Unitas never played for. I franchise that did essentially the same thing to Cleveland what the Colts did to Baltimore.
I agree with Dan Patrick on this, if the NFL wants to do something, do something with the 40 yard line at every stadium. Putting a decal on all the helmets for one week means little. If I'm Derek Smith, I wear that decal on my helmet every week until the NFL realizes how stupid its being.
Hell, I think I said right after his death, they should make the 40 yard line markers (the numbers)red white and blue, instead of just white. Simple, easy to do, and would be respectfull.
If I was in San Fran, I would take up a collection and tell him to wear the decal, and have the fans cover the fine, OR have the entire Team wear it and refuse to pay the fine.
Originally posted by WhitebaconThis doesn't surprise me at all. Last year they wouldn't let Peyton Manning of the COLTS honor Johnny Unitas by wearting black shoes, and deemed the BALTIMORE F'n RAVENS the only team to "officially" honor Unitas after his death. A team that didn't even exist in Baltimore at any point during Unitas' career. A franchise that Unitas never played for. I franchise that did essentially the same thing to Cleveland what the Colts did to Baltimore.
1. The Browns at least had the decency to tell the city what was going to happen, as opposed to doing it in the middle of the night.
2. After 1984, Unitas told the Colts to stick it and wanted nothing to do with the franchise, and embraced Baltimore and the Ravens. He even asked that his number be unretired by the Colts at one point.
Now, I think that what Peyton tried to do was very classy. But he shouldn't have told anybody about it first. Chris Redman just did it and dealt with the consequences later.
Tell you the truth, I wish that teams wore the sticker all year...
Originally posted by Grimis 1. The Browns at least had the decency to tell the city what was going to happen, as opposed to doing it in the middle of the night.
2. After 1984, Unitas told the Colts to stick it and wanted nothing to do with the franchise, and embraced Baltimore and the Ravens. He even asked that his number be unretired by the Colts at one point.
Now, I think that what Peyton tried to do was very classy. But he shouldn't have told anybody about it first. Chris Redman just did it and dealt with the consequences later.
Tell you the truth, I wish that teams wore the sticker all year...
As a NE Ohioan by birth, I agree with you but what Modell did was still classless after the support the community had given the team.
Unitas was correct in his actions given his history.
And Peyton indeed should have begged forgiveness instead of asking permission.
ANd instead of the stickers, I like the 40 yard line idea better as it is more out there.
(edited by DrDirt on 24.9.04 0803) Perception is reality
Originally posted by DrDirtAs a NE Ohioan by birth, I agree with you but what Modell did was still classless after the support the community had given the team.
I'm not saying that anybody is wearing the white hat here. We should've gotten either the Charlotte of Jacksonville expansion teams, and I'll bet the Browns would still be in Cleveland.
Originally posted by DrDirtAnd Peyton indeed should have begged forgiveness instead of asking permission.
The thing I remember about the Peyton/Unitas black shoes-flap is that the year before after Walter Payton died SEVERAL running backs, including Marshall Faulk, requested that for one week they be allowed to wear #34 to honor Payton, and the league said "No." Ever since then the league REALLY seems to be stuck in a "we said 'no' to THAT, so we'd better say 'no' to EVERYTHING" mindset.
“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
The thing is, the first week of the season they interviewed some guy from the NFL (sorry, I don't remember his name) and he said that all NFL players will have the option of keeping the number on their helmets. The ESPN NFL Gameday crew on Sunday morning even said as much. So either the NFL is passing out bad information to the public, or somebody was misinformed.
I agree that Tillman should be honored, along with the other fallen soldiers. How about an American flag #40-shaped sticker on every players helmet ...
Originally posted by Mayhem I agree that Tillman should be honored, along with the other fallen soldiers. How about an American flag #40-shaped sticker on every players helmet ...
That would be fine but I would like it to be larger and more visible.
Originally posted by Teppan-YakiI agree -- Pat Tillman should be honored.
What about the rest of the soldiers that have died overseas in the Operation? They are just as heroic as Mr. Tillman.
(edited by Teppan-Yaki on 24.9.04 0802)
They absolutely should be too, but the NFL might nto be the best place for that. For Tillman, for the NFL, it is a local thing, because he was a brother to them. It's not like they're asking the NBA to do something about him, and I'm sure that there are companies whose employees have up pictures or something of someone they personally knew who fought and died. Doesn't mean that not having EVERY soldiers pictures is being disrespectful.
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