The NFL is close to implementing a new rule where the use of the N-word will be banned. This is more a less a reaction to the Dolphins' bullying scandal where Richie Incognito and others used racial slurs to taunt other players and a team trainer. The NFL rule would be enforced on the field, where they would penalize a player and team should he be heard using the N-word.
The Miami Heat's Chris Bosh was asked about his thoughts on the impending rule, and if it should be something the NBA should also implement.
Bosh took it a step further, saying that the ban should not just begin and end with the N-word, but with any slur, racial, homophobic, or others.
"It's a very tough situation," Bosh said of ESPN's Michael Wallace's question. "If that's the case, they should ban all slurs. And I know it's a big deal, because I think that word is used too much, especially in the mainstream nowadays."
Bosh also brought up the point of how a league would go about enforcing such a rule, and why is shouldn't just be limited to one slur.
I don't know how they're going to [enforce] it," he said. "That's going to be a tough thing. It's your word against his word. I think that can kind of get tricky.
"Well, what if I say this? There are a bunch of other [offensive] things I could say and not get a penalty. I think if we're going to bring one thing in, I think we've got to put them all in the hat. And I think that'll work out [better]."
Bosh's comments come just days after Jason Collins made his debut for the Brooklyn Nets and became the first openly gay professional athlete of the main American pro sports leagues.
Likewise, Missouri defensive end Michael Sam recently made news for becoming the first openly gay NFL prospect.
The NBA did penalize a couple of players in the past for using homophobic slurs during games.
In 2011, Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for calling a referee a gay slur during a game. Also in 2011, the Bulls' Joakim Noah was fined $50,000 for calling a fan a homophobic slur during a game.
So, there is precedence. But the NFL's possible new rule does raise questions about enforcement and exclusion. The N-word penalty might just be experimental. A starting point. If it's successful, the league might then move on to ban other offensive language.
That's what Bosh seems to be advocating, anyway.
"It's like I said -- if you're going to [penalize] one word, then put them all in there," he said. "Use every slur, every negative curse word, if you will, and that will simplify it a little bit."
Chris Bosh for President of Everything.
Send your story tips to the author, Chris Joseph. Follow Chris Joseph on Twitter
Follow @NewTimesBroward
