Gerald McCoy didn’t shy away from speaking his mind when he was asked about freedom of expression for NFL players.
The questioning came in the wake of the league allowing players to wear personalized cleats in support of personal causes. McCoy took the opportunity to point out that the league “allowing” players to do this demonstrates what they’re not allowing players to do most of the time.
Via the Tampa Bay Times:
“We don’t get a chance to express ourselves a lot. That’s why so many fines are going on, a lot of flags going on. We’ve got handcuffs on,” McCoy said. “I don’t mind saying that, because that’s what I believe. I believe the NFL’s put handcuffs on us and not letting us express ourselves. It’s very hard to make a play in the NFL and to do it consistently. Doing it once, that emotion comes out.”
His imagery is going to draw attention, but the metaphor isn’t really inaccurate. From uniforms to celebrations, there’s nothing the NFL loves more than to tell the players what they can and cannot do on the field. Would it really kill the sport if players were allowed to wear personalized cleats all the time? Does it hurt the unity of hockey teams when goalies wear personalized masks?
McCoy also pointed out the hypocrisy of a commissioner that encourages players to express emotion on draft night, when it’s a feel-good boost to the league’s image:
“Roger Goodell himself told my class when we were in his office to show emotion on draft day,” he said. “To be able to express how you feel playing this game, to show the joy and excitement you get from having the opportunity to play in the NFL. When guys are doing that and getting flagged for it, it’s like ‘What type of sense does that make?’ It’s not like anyone is flipping the bird to fans. Guys are just dancing, whatever it may be, just excitement from making a play. … It takes the fun out of the game. You don’t know what you can and can’t do anymore.”
Yeah, he’s not wrong here. Of course, what’s the league going to do? Punish McCoy for expressing his opinion that players should be allowed to express themselves? Surely even the NFL would be able to realize that’s not the best look, right?
Right?
