NFL bans alochol

NEW YORK -- NFL clubs may no longer serve alcohol at team functions or on buses or flights, extending a ban that until now applied only in locker rooms.

NFL owners and executives were told Thursday by commissioner Roger Goodell that the rule pertains not only to players but also to owners, coaches and guests.

"I believe that no constructive purpose is served by clubs continuing to make alcoholic beverages available, and that doing so imposes significant and unnecessary risks to the league, its players and others," Goodell wrote to all 32 teams in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

The commissioner's letter separates him from, among others, baseball commissioner Bud Selig. After St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock died a month ago in what was ruled an alcohol-related auto accident, Selig said a decision on banning beer in clubhouses was a team matter, not a league one.

Goodell's letter is in keeping with his policy of setting strict standards for behavior by players, coaches and officials after a year of numerous arrests, many of them for alcohol-related offenses. He has imposed strict suspensions on those who violated those policies, including a yearlong suspension for Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones, which is currently under appeal.

The letter is addressed to chief executives, club presidents, general managers and head coaches.

"Effective immediately," it reads, "clubs are prohibited from providing alcoholic beverages, including beer, in any club setting, including in locker rooms, practice or office facilities or while traveling, including on team buses or flights.

"This prohibition extends not only to players but to all team personnel, as well as to other guests traveling with the team or who have access to club facilities," it said.

The ban was sent with the approval of the NFL Players Association and the player advisory council, a group of veterans appointed in early April to advise Goodell on player issues.

 

They may still sell it in kegloads to fans, tho!

 

I gave up alochol a long time ago.

 

Roger Goodell appears to be taking the No Fun league to entirely new levels.

But better? Not so much.

And that flight from San Diego to New England is sure to be a fun time.

 

Hello, I'm Trouser_Buddah, and I'm an alocholic..

 

In the good old days, it was nothing for a PR guy to break open a bottle or two for a few of the boys. Things have changed for the worst.

 

Typical NFL. Sucking up to the media and positioning itself as the league that takes action, but ignoring the real problem, which is alcohol consumed by fans in the parking lots and stadiums. I'm guessing Anheuser-Bush is the NFL's top advertiser, though, so that was a non-starter.

 

Not sure what the NFL could do about the "real problem," but it can control its own employees.

I'll give Goodell some credit, he doesn't seem to care about being bold when it comes to keeping people in line.

 

How exactly will something like this be enforced? Who's to stop players from drinking on a plane? Does this mean front office types won't be able to drink at games in boxes? I'm really amazed that such a broad policy can get passed. Wonder what the penalty would be.

 

Should I have a newbie fetch you a beer?

 

You really don't think leagues have the power to do something about over-serving its customers?

It's easy for Goodell to be "bold" because nothing about it is bold. It's old-school, NFL pandering. The media is clamoring for crack downs against those awful criminals/athletes and the NFL is going to show everyone that it's in control.

Bold would be doing something to keep drunks from getting behind the wheels of cars in the parking lot or banning alcohol at tailgates and the second half of all games.

Telling players (who don't have a real union) and other NFL personnel that they can't drink at work? Not so much.

 

Is there any commissioner in professional sports now who seems competent at his job? Selig - NO. Bettman - NO. Stern - HELL NO. I thought Goodell might be the exception, but he's beginning to look like he wants to not only clean up the NFL, but send it about 50 years into the past.