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April 9,
2004
I’ve read your
letter. Right there, one day after the Super Bawdy 2004 half-time
show, I wanted to see what the NFL Commissioner Mr. Tagliabue himself
had to say.
But, Paul, I’m
confused. You say you are delivering a “powerful message.” You warn
people, “Don’t even think about it.” You promise “harsher discipline
for over-the-top demonstrations” complete with “stronger penalties and
fines, even leaving open the possibility of suspensions.”
Yes, I’m confused.
You see, it sounds so good to read your unequivocal message, your
powerful promises to crack down…until…it dawns on me that you are not
talking to MTV, CBS, Janet or Justin.
The power of your
outrage is directed to cell phones in the end zone. You pull no
punches. “Cell phones, pens, all the other things, penalties likely
will escalate if this does not stop.” Wow! You really told them.
Thankfully, Paul,
you don’t have to fight this battle alone. Many coaches are “outraged
by these episodes.” They have called to tell you that such incidents
are “uncalled for and humiliating to their players and embarrassing to
players in general.”
Well, Paul, you’ve
got it half right. You clearly have the language of outrage
mastered. But you need to use it for more than cell phones in the end
zone.
So what about your
comments on a naked breast center field? Ahem. With great restraint
and tact you let America know you “were extremely disappointed.” You
promise us you will “deal far more effectively with the quality of
this aspect of the Super Bowl.”
Very tactful,
Paul. But certainly, tact is not what is required here. Where is the
language of outrage…the penalties, the suspensions, the
take-no-prisoners call for an end to trash and filth hawked through
the open door offered by the NFL? Where are the calls from coaches
“outraged by these episodes”?
Super Bawdy 2004
was not just about one breast. It’s about a game of fun being
hijacked for the sake of corporate profits. It’s about nasty being
sold as cute…at every turn. And it’s about an NFL hierarchy that has
been willing to “go along” for the ride.
So you’re upset
about Janet’s naked chest? Then explain to us why the only women
televised on NFL games are the ones with bare chests pushed together
into deep cleavage framed by cheer leader costumes.
So you’re upset by
commercials that have an entire nation saying “Holy S---” in unison?
Then explain the “Best Damn Sports Show” promoted constantly without
blushing.
Monday Night
Football, a family tradition for us, has become increasingly
irritating in its display of T&A in commercial times. The Twins and
their boobs flash an unending peep show and cameras take shots of
products through the suggestive pose of a woman’s open legs. Any
five-year-old can imagine the cameraman looking up the lady’s skirt to
admire her thong.
Dear Paul, Super
Bawdy 2004 is the natural result of the NFL playing with fire long
enough that it finally got burnt. And now that the rage of a country
is blazing, we need something more than a limp-wristed “aw shucks…we
really wish you hadn’t done that” comment from the Commissioner.
What do we need
from you, Paul? Dust off your speech for cell phones and black pens.
Call up your outrage! Work up a lather. Draw a line in the sand.
Demand, threaten, and punish. You are the one who ultimately pays the
piper, and you get what you pay for. Draw the purse strings closed
and set out the rules of the game in plain language that everyone can
understand…even if you have to follow the rules yourself.
The sorry truth of
this whole sorry affair is this. If you want to keep selling the
“Best D___ Game in Town” with bikini-clad babes, you are not going to
be able to exercise the moral authority to keep another Janet and
Justin from rising out of the ashes.
You have shown us
your outrage, Paul. Now…show us you know what to do with it.
Copyright © 2004 Jane Jimenez
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