How is the NFL fining players for free speech legal?

Ok, I've never covered a pro beat and I'm not very familiar with the NFL's code of conduct or what type of contracts these players play for, but I just noticed that Plaxico Burress got hit with a $20K fine for "inappropriate comments after the game on officiating."

Maybe you guys could explain it, but I've always wondered how this was legal. Is there some kind of NFL rule that prohibits this and, if so, couldn't a player simply refuse to pay this and sue the league for supressing their First Amendment rights?

Just seems to me that this is clearly illegal. Maybe I'm in the minority.

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Collectively bargained by the NFLPA.

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Same reason a copy editor can get reprimanded for putting up an Obama or McCain button at their desk.

It ain't right, but it's legal. Who's going to stop 'em?

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Even worse what the Browns did to Kellen Winslow.
The guy gets a staph infection (the Browns' sixth of late). They cite his privacy in not releasing any info, even letting rumors run that he had some sort of testicular problem. Then he complains about the team covering it up. So they suspend him.
I'm sure the NFL has its reasons for this, but it looks pretty bad. Doesn't seem like a wise way to treat your talent, especially when you consider the many other things they let the talent get away with.

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

No, it's perfectly legal.

Burress has the legal right to say whatever he wants, and you have the right to put a campaign button on your desk. The employer has no legal obligation to pay you for doing so.

Especially not in the case of Burress, whose legal representatives (the NFLPA) have freely agreed to restrictions on those rights in exchange for other considerations ($$$$$).

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Still, it seems to me that such a rule could be challenged in court on the grounds that it restricts the rights of said person.

Always catches me off guard.

Also, here's a question. Say you're on the Bengals. You're contract runs out. Before you resign or move on, you go into a 90-minute rant about the shitty refs in the league.

Are you still going to get fined? Even if you're technically not under contract?

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Ok, how about this scenerio.

Let's say Burress really wanted to vent and scream about the refs but didn't want to pay the fine. He holds a press conference where he says "I have nothing to say yet." and his wife (or friend) gets up and rips into the refs, clearly expressing Burress' beliefs.

The comments would still attract the same amount of attention and anyone with a brain knows they're really coming from Burress. How would this be different?

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Players' spouses, or siblings, or parents, or friends, can say whatever they want.

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Get a job at the golden arches and greet customers with, "Welcome to McDonald's. The food here is poison" and tell management you're just exercising your Constitutional right to free speech.

I'm no lawyer, but I'm guessing you'll still be turning in your polyester jacket.

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

He's got the right to say whatever he wants. He doesn't have the right to play football.

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Jesus, some of you people seem to have no notion of what the Constitution says. The 1st Amendment is to protect us from sanction by the government for our free speech. It doesn't say anything about any restrictions we might agree to in an agreement with our employers.

 

Re: How is the NFL legally fining players for free speech legal?

Beat me to it. You would think a bunch of journalists would know what the First Amendment entails.