The National Football League recently fined New Orleans
Saints linebacker Demario Davis $7,000 for violating the league’s “personal
message” rule. Davis had the temerity to wear a headband
with the phrase “Man of God” on it, thereby breaching the NFL’s policy regarding
what can be worn on-- or with-- official
team uniforms. The league told Davis that if he wore the offending headband
again, he would be fined double what he was the first time, or $14,000. Keep in
mind, Davis has to wear a helmet the entire time he is on the field, making his
headband invisible to all. It was when Davis took off his helmet while giving a
pep talk to his teammates—on the sidelines—that the headband became visible and
triggered the fine.
Davis
said of the fine, “Nobody wants to lose money, but I think any time that the
conversation about God is brought up, especially in these times, I think it's
always a positive or silver lining.” Apparently, kneeling for the national
anthem is perfectly acceptable behavior to the NFL, as is “trash-talking” on
the field. Quietly acknowledging God, however, is beyond the pale.
It’s
a good thing Davis wasn’t seen sporting a “MAGA” hat or he would’ve been banned
from the league for life.
The NFL has since rescinded the
fine, yet Davis donated the entire amount to a local hospital. Moreover, Davis
and his teammates came up with the idea of marketing “Man of God” headbands
which, through sales proceeds and matching donations, have raised over $120,000
for that local Mississippi hospital.
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