StarTribune.com

Darlin’ don’t you go and cut your hair. Except you, Troy.

Posted on March 27th, 2008 – 10:05 AM
By Michael Rand

polamalu.jpgThis post obviously lets us reference one of our favorite Pavement songs, but in addition to that it gets at the heart of something we don’t really like: leagues and teams legislating against appearance. In this case, the NFL is trying to get hair tucked into helmets, perhaps more for safety reasons than anything, but it’s still an infringement on some freedoms:

Troy Polamalu might not have to worry about getting tackled again by his hair.

At their meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., next week, NFL owners will consider a proposal to ban players from having hair flow from their helmets below their names on the back of their jerseys.

That might affect Polamalu’s image, but help him on the field. Two seasons ago, the Pittsburgh safety with the long ponytail had his hair grabbed by Kansas City’s Larry Johnson and was thrown to the turf after an interception against the Chiefs.

The rule banning long hair on the field was proposed by Kansas City. It does not require players to get haircuts, but does “require them to tuck it up inside their helmets,” said Atlanta president Rich McKay, chairman of the league’s competition committee.

So yeah, it’s not quite a haircut requirement, but it still seems rather silly. Agree? Disagree? Agree to disagree?

Up next: Stu’s Hunt Down

12 Responses to "Darlin’ don’t you go and cut your hair. Except you, Troy."

The Five Man Electrical Band says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am

We’d just like to point out that we told everyone that the sign said long-haired freaky people need not apply a long time ago. If you need further explanation, we’d recommend tucking your hair up under your hat, Troy, and going in to ask them why.

Tesla says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:18 am

It’s time to rumble, Five Man…

The Five Man Electrical Band says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:25 am

We found your cover version to be overwrought, Tesla. But we did appreciate the royalties.

Stu says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:28 am

To build off Michael’s Pavement love, you could do a lot worse with your money than to buy yourself some Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain.

roughkat says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:29 am

Great, Stu has resorted to having conversations with his various personalities. If that’s what it takes to get him to pitch his movie ideas on RandBites then so be it.

I remember when I liked to grow my hair out just to piss off The Man. Then 9th grade ended and my dad made me cut it off.

Stu says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:38 am

Roughkat: I was only the “Five Man” portion of the above dialogue. Pretending to be Tesla is beneath my high standards for Internet commentary.

roughkat says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:43 am

Btw - I’ve always been partial to Gold Soundz on that album.

Stu says:

March 27th, 2008 at 10:47 am

Gold Soundz is fantastic. As is Unfair, Range Life, etc.

Seriously, kids: go buy that for your iTunes or your Close ‘n Play or whatever device you use.

scagmajor says:

March 27th, 2008 at 11:30 am

I’d say that if Polamalu doesn’t like the rule, he can go make millions of dollars playing football in some other league. Oh, wait…

Local Quipster says:

March 27th, 2008 at 11:39 am

Marge Schott is smiling in hell.

Dave MN says:

March 27th, 2008 at 11:40 am

Apparently nothing is beneath my standards…

jama says:

March 28th, 2008 at 8:11 am

When did George Steinbrenner start running the NFL?