NFL to consider 15-yard penalty for use of N-word: Report

Recent racial slurs from Richie Incognito and Riley Cooper, in the locker room and a public setting respectively, have tested the limits of the NFL policy on tolerance off the field. But a radical rule change— which one group is proposing to the league — will penalize players for the use of the N-word on the playing field as well

The new penalty, which will be automatic 15-yards if a player uses the N-word, is set to be introduced during the league’s owner’s meetings in March, according to a CBS Sports report.

John Wooten, who heads up the Fritz Pollard Alliance which pays attention to diversity in the NFL, says he expects the NFL’s competition committee to suggest creating a rule penalizing players who use the offensive word on the field during play — where it is apparently prevalent.

The rule would also include the potential for players to get ejected from the game, if they use the word a second time.

Wooten, who was at the NFL Combine on Friday, said he wants to completely erase the word from being used in the NFL.

"I will be totally shocked if the competition committee does not uphold us on what we're trying to do,” he said. "We want this word to be policed from the parking lot to the equipment room to the locker room. Secretaries, PR people, whoever, we want it eliminated completely and want it policed everywhere."

Wooten spoke about his desire to completely eradicate the word from NFL workplaces at the Fritz Pollard event during the combine, wanting it to be fineable and policed throughout team facilities. He received a standing ovation according to those in attendance. Wooten said he will continue being vigilant about this with the NFL office and Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The NFL has yet to comment on Wooten’s idea, but he remains extremely hopeful the rule will be passed because “there is too much disrespect in the game”.

Just wondering if this will lead to penalties for other offensive terms like the F-word or Redskins?