NFL feels no new rule needed to punish slurs?

An incident involving Trent Williams reportedly helped push for eliminating racial epithets. (USATSI)

When CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora initially reported the news last weekend that the NFL wanted to ban racial slurs -- specifically the "N-word" -- from the field, there was some skepticism about how the league would manage to do that. Apparently they believe no new ruling is needed to do so.

Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports the NFL might not even change the rules in order to enforce the usage of racially-charged language on the field. And, based on an examination of the NFL Rule Book, they won't have to.

Section 3, Article 1 (b) of the 2013 NFL Rule Book is a pretty obvious example of how the NFL could enforce the policy. Section 3 is entitled "Unsportsmanlike Conduct." (Emphasis mine.)

Article 1: Prohibited Acts. There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Such acts specifically include, among others:

(a) Throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even though no contact is made.

(b)Using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.

The resulting penalty of all unsportsmanlike conduct fouls is a 15-yard penalty from the "succeeding spot or whatever spot the Referee, after consulting with the crew, deems equitable."

Additionally, an automatic first down is awarded if the foul is on the defense.

And, as noted in the rule book, Article 1 (b) is eligible for disqualification.

The issue, as far as I can tell, is whether or not the league will have officials specify that the language used was a racial epithet when the foul is announced.

It's worth noting, somewhat ironically, that the impetus for the Fritz-Pollard was Redskins lineman Trent Williams engaging in a verbal altercation with umpire Roy Ellison, the latter who was eventually suspended one game without pay for "making a profane and derogatory statement" to Williams.

Williams said that Ellison called him a "garbage ass" and a "disrespectful motherf----r."

Ellison should've penalized Williams and/or ejected him during the game. Beginning next year, he'll probably have the full authority to do so.

NFL Hot News

Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall hints at retiring. Kind of. Maybe. Perhaps



It's a slow news day, so let's take an trip inside the mind of Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall.Mendenhall wrote a blog entry for The Huffington Post on Tuesday in which he describes a vision he had the day after he tore his right ACL during the Steelers' regular-season finale of 2012. Mendenhall writes that his vision consisted on swimming in dark, cold, dangerous waters late at night. As he moved through the waters, Mendenhall, who is not Catholic, writes that he saw the mother of Christ."Through it all, I knew that after much toil ... that undoubtedly I would reach her," Mendenhall wrote. "And that once I had, this particular journey would be over for good. I would finally be at peace. Soon after to embark on a new voyage, hardened from the experience, and no longer alone, but with light by my side"The journey I envisioned is the two years of rebuilding that would follow. And as I write this, today is the day that the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead."



Mendenhall frequently writes poetry, and while his latest account is solid writing, some of the wording can obviously be interpreted differently. I think it sounds like a man who feels he is fully healthy for the first time in 14 months and pleased to be at the end of the long "journey" he took to get back to 100 percent.But fragments such as "embark on a new voyage," and "fully at peace" do give off a vibe that the 26-year-old may not be fully committed to continuing his NFL career. However, some interest on the open market and a nice, new contract may change those presumed feelings. As of Tuesday night, Mendenhall hasn't revealed the true meaning of his musings.