Did you guys know that "NFL" stands for 'National Football League?' I know; I was also surprised to learn that. All this time, I thought Commissioner Roger Goodell had changed the acronym to 'No Fun League.'
Otherwise, why would they even consider fining a player for pretending to drink a beer to celebrate a touchdown against the Chiefs? That was the case with Indianapolis Colts right guard Matt Goncalves, whose pockets will now be nearly $9K lighter because of that harmless celebration.
That's why veteran tight end Mo Alie-Cox took offense at the fine and didn't hold back against the league. He pointed out the double standard the league is trying to impose, punishing players for pretending to drink the same stuff they promote.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox just told him like it is
“It is kind of weird because you see NFL commercials of beers," Alie-Cox said. "I didn’t even know this, but they said Bud Light is a sponsor?”
First, who knows if Goncalves was even drinking a beer? Maybe he likes to shotgun Kombucha or chug his preferred soda. Maybe he's a Dr. Pepper guy; did they even bother asking him what his beverage of choice is?
Second, while it makes sense that they don't want to encourage children to drink alcohol, and while safe drinking should be one of the top priorities for any major sports league, what to do with the dozens upon dozens of beer ads in every broadcast?
Fans don't watch games just for what goes down when the clock is moving. This is also part of its appeal: the showmanship. Fining or flagging players for celebrations is just a way to hurt the game's spirit.
Of course, common sense must prevail here. There are obvious lines players should never cross, but the league is drawing more attention to the celebration — and likely making it go viral and a big deal now — when it would most likely have gone unnoticed if it weren't for the fine.
Maybe Goncalves should've watched that Key & Peele sketch and adjusted accordingly. Two pumps are more than enough, but three is definitely crossing a line; it'll cost you 15 yards and take some money out of your pocket.
This is just like the NFL punishing players for gambling — and rightly so — while showing you live odds below the score and getting in bed with sportsbooks. I mean, C'mon, guys, you can't have it both ways.
Or maybe they can, but they shouldn't, and that's the whole point Alie-Cox wanted to lay out. Fine, take the guy's money and whatnot, but don't pretend to be the moral police from your high pedestal, because you're far from that.
We see what you're doing, and while we get it, you're not fooling anyone.
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