Retweet of the Day - March 26, 2014

The Daily Hat Trick is not into making any political statements or delving into controversy any more than necessary to be interesting and relevant. However, today's retweet, by Kazeem Famuyide (‏@RealLifeKaz)
illustrates an inherent contradiction in decisions made by the NFL.

The NFL, if nothing else, has demonstrated that it is keenly focused on protecting The Shield (the NFL's trademark logo). It has taken steps that has gotten it branded the "No Fun League" by this publication and others. It is how they do their business, and that's fine.

However, the league's decision to stamp out the faintly burning embers of a threat to its image by banning the dunking of a football over the goalposts as a touchdown celebration seems a bit excessive considering that it has chosen to do not address the possibility of a change to the name of the controversial mascot, "Redskins" of its Washington franchise.

Regardless of one's opinion of the name, it seems to me that the removal of a touchdown celebration that further endears the fans to the players and the game because of a possible delay of the game is trivial when compared to the public perception of insensitivity toward Native Americans with the continued use, even in the 21st century, of a mascot that many Native Americans find offensive and many Americans, as a whole, consider a pejorative term. Yet the league has taken swift and decisive action on one issue that will have no gainful impact and procrastinated on a controversy that can only injure the shield as time passes without a resolution.

Today's retweet:

"NFL says you can't dunk on goal posts but the Redskins name is A-Ok."

The No Fun League may have to reevaluate its priorities for things to change.

Image from www.aiowallpaper.com

Don’t Fake The Funk on the Nasty Dunk

The NFL has put “The Jimmy Graham Rule” in place. Starting next season, the teams of players who celebrate a touchdown by dunking the ball over the goal post will be penalized 15 yards. New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham has made this his trademark celebration during the past several seasons.

No Fun League

When it comes to sucking individual creativity, originality, and fun out of football, the NFL is the president, emperor, and king of fun ruining. The league is imposing this rule change under the guise of the continuity of the game. Graham, twice, unleveled the goal posts from his dunk celebration, causing the games to be delayed until the posts could be leveled properly.

Using this reasoning, the problem is with the delay of the game, not the celebration itself. So, why not penalize a celebration resulting in a delay? Chances are Graham and others would not dunk the ball so hard and/or not hang on the goal posts.

Regardless, the penalty-free touchdown dunk is now part of the NFL’s past. There’s nothing that excites the home crowd or the television audience, not residing in a cemetery, more than watching a game changing touchdown accompanied by the roar of the crowd and the scoring player calmly walking over to the official and handing him the football. The No Fun League strikes again! 

How about the team is penalized, but gets two points for the dunk?

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls! 

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

Image from www.putusincoach.com

Retweet of the Day - August 8, 2013

Houston Texans defensive end and reigning Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt has seen his stock skyrocket in the last year. After a solid rookie season in 2011, he exploded with a 20.5 sack season, helping the Texans win the AFC South for the second straight year. Watt is a rock star in the city of Houston.

Besides being a freak on the gridiron, he's appears to be a good guy. Among other acts of giving back to the community, earlier this year, Watt "married" a little girl who was a Texans fan in a mock ceremony, far above and beyond what the most involved athletes do for children. Inevitably, this legend in his current home town is growing with exponential speed.

Recently, the NFL (a.k.a. the No Fun League) continued it Draconian crack down on anything that makes the players look like human beings with emotions as opposed to robots. The league banned spiking the ball in the end zone after a touchdown and sack celebrations in an effort to reduce taunting. Watt, of course, is famous for his post-sack salute. Watt says it is a tribute to American veterans.

Here's one Tweeter's perspective on the situation, from Chivesology (‏@ChivesMcGee): 


"NFL: Saluting celebrations will be a 15 yard penalty. JJ Watt: Too bad, I’m doing it anyways. NFL: Ok saluting celebrations are cool."

He even takes his hat off (after taking the QB's head off) before he salutes. What a great American!

Image from http://blogs.chron.com