America's Love Affair With the NFL

           

             I wonder what our Founding Fathers would have thought about the game of football. I imagine that they would have been dumbfounded at these massive human beings who wear armor and repeatedly smash each other into the ground. However, I’m positive that the Founding Fathers would admire at how the nation’s favorite sport continues to be a symbol for progressivism and capitalism.

            During this offseason, the National Football League has taken strong stances on two of the hottest social issues in America today; marijuana use and gay rights. Ironically, the NFL has made a greater effort to address these issues than our own representatives on Capitol Hill!

            This year the Super Bowl matchup contained two teams, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, who hail from states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Naturally, the media and fans wanted to know the NFL’s stance on the legalization of marijuana. Within days, the NFL had an answer for their fans. Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, responded immediately and declared, “We’ll continue to follow the medicine” (ESPN). Goodell’s answer was not only decisive; it showed that the NFL is open-minded to anything that can benefit the league.

            After the Super Bowl, the NFL had to respond to the next civil issue of gay rights. The conversation for gay rights in sports ignited after Michael Sam, a NFL draft-prospect from the University of Missouri, admitted he was gay. If Sam were to be drafted, which is likely because he is projected as a third or fourth round pick, he will become the first openly gay player in NFL history!

While the media and current NFL players went back and forth on the topic, the NFL took a strong position for equality. Roger Goodell made it crystal clear that ALL people, no matter their differences, are welcome to play football in the NFL.

Goodell is not just a man of the people; he is also a damn good businessman. Goodell and the NFL understand that being a leader in social issues and accepting everyone for who they are is good business. When Goodell welcomed Michael Sam for coming out, he made Sam a hero to the entire gay community.

Roger Goodell’s brother, Michael Goodell, is an openly gay man and was extremely proud of his brother for taking a stance for equality. Michael Goodell described Michael Sam as, “An instant hero in the gay and lesbian community” (TMZ). Michael Goodell went on to analyze the current NFL owner’s stance on the topic by stating, “I’ve met a lot of the NFL owners through my brother. They’re businessmen, not homophobes” (TMZ).

After the Michael Sam phenomenon began to slow down, a new issue arose for the NFL. The upcoming Super Bowl was to be held in Arizona, the same state that was trying to pass a bill that allowed businesses to discriminate against gays. During this fiasco, Roger Goodell adamantly stated that the NFL would not hold a Super Bowl in Arizona in this bill were to be passed. Goodell’s statement placed great economic and social pressure onto Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who had the sole power to pass or veto the bill. On February 26, Gov. Brewer vetoed the bill and said, “Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value. So is non-discrimination” (CNN).

Our Founding Fathers were vital to America becoming the world’s leading nation because they structured our country through the foundations of equality and capitalism. Today, I believe that the NFL is one of the most efficient vehicles for social change. The NFL should be proud knowing that not only are they America’s favorite sport by a considerable amount, but they are also using their power responsibly and for the betterment of our society.