Plummer and NFL compromise on Tillman issue

[bob_barron 0]

From the AP-

 

Pat Tillman always stood up for what he believed. His friend Jake Plummer wanted to as well, but officials from the NFL weren't so keen on letting him.

 

Plummer relented Wednesday, agreeing to adhere to the league's dress code and remove a sticker from his helmet that honored Tillman, who was killed in the war in Afghanistan after quitting football to join the Army.

 

 

"When it comes to honoring Pat, he's bigger than a sticker on my helmet," Plummer said. "I don't like the fact I can't, but I understand what the league wants to accomplish with its rules and regulations."

 

 

To soften the blow, the NFL said it would not fine Plummer for wearing the sticker last Sunday in violation of league rules. Also, the league agreed to let Plummer tape public-service announcements honoring Tillman and play them in stadiums nationwide on the weekend after Veteran's Day.

 

 

"We, too, want to continue to keep Pat Tillman's legacy alive, but ... we have rules regarding personal messages on uniforms that we needed to apply consistently," the NFL said in a statement.

 

 

Tillman, a former teammate of Plummer's at Arizona State and with the Arizona Cardinals, quit the league in 2002 to join the Army Rangers. He died in combat in April.

 

 

To honor the former safety, all NFL players wore the No. 40 decal on their helmets during the second week of the season. The Cardinals will wear the decal all season.

 

 

Plummer wanted to keep his own tribute going past the second week. Warned of possible fines by the NFL, Plummer backed down for the next two games. But against the Panthers last Sunday, the sticker reappeared. At that time, Plummer said giving up the fight just didn't feel right, and he agreed to accept whatever fine was levied and urged fans to donate to the Pat Tillman Foundation.

 

 

By Wednesday, the story had gained footing well beyond Broncos headquarters and the NFL offices. Arizona Sen. John McCain sent a letter to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue criticizing the league's policy. Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard also weighed in.

 

 

"I find it disheartening that the National Football League will penalize a player for honoring a fallen soldier, friend and American hero," Allard wrote in a letter to the commissioner.

 

 

In its statement, the NFL said "we look forward to working together with" Plummer and announced it has donated $250,000 to build the first USO facility in Afghanistan, which will be named after Tillman.

 

 

The Broncos will honor Tillman by putting up a big No. 40 logo -- Tillman's number with the Cardinals -- near the play clock on the north end of the stadium. The team also will run ads on the scoreboard during games to promote the Tillman Foundation.

 

 

"His idea was, `How can I go forward from this?" Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said. "We were looking for a better way. Everyone felt the same way, that something like this would work."

 

 

The NFL has long had a strict uniform policy banning untucked shirts, unlicensed logos and unapproved decals and signs worn on uniforms and helmets, regardless of the reason.

 

 

A few years ago, Peyton Manning wanted to wear high-top shoes in tribute to the late Johnny Unitas but was told he couldn't, so he backed off.

 

 

In one of the more famous episodes, Bears quarterback Jim McMahon played with an Adidas ad plastered on his headband. Then-commissioner Pete Rozelle told him not to, so McMahon came back with a headband that said "Rozelle." McMahon was fined.

 

 

Plummer, who signed a $40 million contract last year and could afford any fine levied by the NFL, knew he was walking a fine line between doing what he believed was right and causing a distraction.

 

 

"They had a long-standing friendship and I respect him for the stance he took," Broncos safety John Lynch said. "You don't want it to become a distraction, but in life you've got to stand up for what you believe in, and that's what Jake did."

 

 

In the end, Plummer thinks what he's doing now will be a more effective tribute to Tillman than just slapping a decal on a helmet.

 

 

"It's a terrible feeling that we are having to do this. It's bittersweet," Plummer said. "The fact we are talking about this and he has a foundation -- it's a constant reminder that he's not here with us any more. Now, let's go do some positive stuff in his name."

[therealworldschampion 0]

I'd seriously like to know what the NFL's logic is for this one, it's not like he's advertising or anything, he's honoring a fallen friend

[Dr. Tom 0]

Because the NFL, in every respect other than the play on the field, is very much the No Fun League. They have people in the stands at every game, specifically watching for uniform violations. Even something like a towel hanging down too far is a fine. It's quite absurd.

[snuffbox 0]

John McCain sent a letter to Paul Tagliabue questioning the logic of this NFL complaint...

[Hogan Made Wrestling 0]

To soften the blow, the NFL said it would not fine Plummer for wearing the sticker last Sunday in violation of league rules.

How kind and benevolent of them!

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Damn, I was hoping Plummer wasn't going to give the fight up so soon.

 

Tillman was his teammate in college and in the pros. If the NFL was going to honor the guy isn't it against the spirit of what they did to make him remove it? This is worse than the Peyton Manning fine last year.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I thought the Patriots said they would wear the decal year-round as well?

 

And why are the Cards exempt from the rule (besides the obvious of being Tillman being a former Card)?

[snuffbox 0]

I thought the Patriots said they would wear the decal year-round as well?

 

And why are the Cards exempt from the rule (besides the obvious of being Tillman being a former Card)?

Because the NFL is often a completely ridiculous organization.

[2GOLD 0]

How nice of them not to fine him and let him film some PSA announcements....what the hell can one say?!?!

 

It's not like Tillman was killed from a drunk driver. What kind of PSA can you film?

[Crimson Platypus 0]

If I was Jake I'd get it tattoo'd (er tattooed? tattoed? huh?) on the back of my neck, lets see the fuckers fine him for that!

[Guest El Satanico]

If I was Jake I'd get it tattoo'd (er tattooed? tattoed? huh?) on the back of my neck, lets see the fuckers fine him for that!

It's the NFL, so don't put it past them

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I guess on the bright side, it's good that the NFL is doing well money-wise, which gives them more time to worry about petty shit like this...

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

In any other sport, an incident like this would cause for a huge backlash against the organization and yet with the NFL, people just go "It's the NFL doing what the NFL does".

 

Plummer should not have backed down, I respect that he found other ways to honor his friend but he should have kept doing to prove a point "Tillman and the rest of the fallen are bigger then the NFL". The NFL would had to have backed down, the backlash against them would be too tremendous and they have no sympathy there with the "Uniform" law.

 

You can't even see the sticker unless it's being shot close up... I think Plummer should go further, forget a sticker, put a decal on the sleeve of the jersey as well so it stands out more.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Just playing the Devil's Advocate, the NFL is probably worried that if they let this slide, they'll have to let more & more slide in the future. It's easier to just say no to everything than to potentially open Pandora's Box. I can see a player dying in a plane crash, or car crash, or something comparable, and having his teammates want to honor him as well. It's smarter to just not let ANYTHING through.

 

But, having said that, the NFL - which is normally on point with PR moves - should realize that this was just a no win battle, and that they're going to look like assholes by this mandate. They could have said that anyone that can prove a relationship with Tillman can wear a decal (relationship == current teammate, ex teammate, friend, etc.) and that moving forward, players can petition the league for the right to honor someone in a certain way. (and, yes, I realize this second paragraph completely contradicts the first one.)

[The Czech Republic 0]

And why are the Cards exempt from the rule (besides the obvious of being Tillman being a former Card)?

NFL exec: "Holy shit, there's a team in Arizona!"

[Guest cpac]

It's funny that this league lets Drug Dealers and Murderer's play but Jake Plummer cannot wear a 42 tag sticker on his helmet. Give me a break. The NFL should spend more time regulating all the assholes and worry a little less about the guy who is honoring his friend.