Rapunzel and Troy Polamalu Might Not Be Allowed to Play in the NFL Next Year

Troy Polamalu is the poster boy, but you know the rest. Mike McKenzie, Al Harris, most of the Packer's secondary during the super bowl runs of the 90's. These Rapunzelesque, hard-hitting players known as much for their locks flowing in the wind as for their football prowess. Well, now the NFL has decided to play style police. They are debating whether to outlaw having long hair that obscures the name on the back of a player's jersey. The league claims that it is so that the ref's can see the names and as a safety measure, but we all know that Rodger Goodell just wants to give them all a queer eye make-over.

The player's union on the other hand is arguing that it is a matter of personal expression and has no effect on the game so the league cannot make such a rule. And most importantly, if any of these players are trapped in an ivory tower and need a prince to climb their hair and rescue them, they would be severely handicapped.

Is this a useless rule? Yes. Is it the first? No. The NFL fines players if their undershirts show, if their belt isn't fastened properly, or if they tape the name Ocho-Cinco over their real name on their jersey. It will probably pass, and players will probably complain, but when it comes down to it, it won't matter at all. Now if they want to get more specific and limit the Brian Bosworth, Kevin Greene mullets from showing, I could really get behind that.

The NFL is a dictatorship, they make all kinds of arbitrary rules. The player's union is relatively weak and doesn't have the clout to really overthrow the establishment, so this rule or one like it will probably eventually get passed. In the end, it probably is worth it because while there is only a very small chance it will ever happen, I'd hate to see the game where Polamalu gets drug down from behind after making an interception and his tackler stands up with a bloody scalp in his hands. On second thought, I hope someone from Washington does that this year. The irony would be superb!