Constant End Zone Antics
Canton, OH--(Associated Press) The National Football League is considering a fundamental rule change in order to take an 'end around' approach to the excessive showboating and demonstrating that follows nearly every play. The rule, if approved by owners, would require a player to remove his helmet for the duration of the next play following his own on-field theatrics.
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue reflected upon the vocal concerns of the many fans who are quickly tiring of the hip-shaking, gyrating, dancing, and taunting that occurs on the playing field seemingly after each play. ?Our fans at home, who comprise the overwhelming majority of people who view the game as opposed to those in paid attendance, are fed up with the post play behavior of the competitors,? he stated. ?If we propose and effect this rule change, players will have to decide whether they want to compromise their safety as blatantly as they had just compromised their professionalism and integrity,? Tagliabue added.
Previous attempts by the owners to legislate celebratory behavior on the field has been met by resistance from the NFL Players? Union, which stated that the movements and gestures are a form of free speech. ?The players movements and gestures are a form of free speech,? said Gene Upshaw, former NFL star and current president of the NFLPA. As such, then, they would be protected by the US Consitution. ?As such, then, they would be protected by the US Consitution,? Upshaw added.
Tampa Bay defensive lineman Warren Sapp could not be reached for comment.
Hewlett-Packard To Introduce FoodJet 2000
Palo Alto, CA (Associated Press) U.S. computer giant Hewlett-Packard is poised to release the latest in its long line of printers early in 2003, finally bridging the gap between bytes and bites.