The National Football League will fine players and coaches for just about anything. Illegal hits, criticizing officials publicly, wearing the wrong shoes, ill-fitting socks, athletic tape on the facemask, whatever.
Well, except when a fine is actually warranted.
Detroit coach Jim Schwartz and San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh had their little run-in on Sunday. It then was shown on a continuous loop across the nation for about three days. And when the dust finally settled, no punishment was handed down.
Sorry, but that’s ridiculous. I’m not saying they should have been suspended for a game, but at least take a healthy portion of their paychecks. Both coaches embarrassed themselves, their franchises and the league itself. It was a bush league display. You’re grown men, guys. Act like it.
Football coaches are looked upon by so many as pillars of strength and fortitude. And when they then go ahead and act like clowns, all the bad PR you could imagine comes flying in. And lately, there’s been a lot of it. Football coaches, both in the NFL and college, have been behaving quite poorly in recent days, whether it is press conference blowups, sideline cuss rampages or near-physical altercations.
Something needs to be done about it. And going after the almighty wallet is the best place to start.
