Comments on: Polamalu cell-phone appeal opens a can of worms

By: lewpring

lewpring — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:40:50 +0000

Sorry about all you “The Dog Ate My Homework” fans but……………. does anyone care that Mr. Polomalu called his wife via cell phone to tell her that, despite leaving a game with “concussion-like symptoms,” he was actually fine………in order to communicate to her that he left the game with “concussion-like symptoms,” yet nevertheless was fine.

Nobody ate anyone’s homework. Mr. Polomalu did a reasonable, in fact, kind act. Period.

Translated – for the obtuse – if someone lied about his homework, deal with HIM. Mr. Polomalu behaved reasonably, truthfully and, in fact, nobly.

Lew Pringle

By: tommyf15

tommyf15 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:50:17 +0000

granadafan says:
How is the league going to handle inevitable situation when a player Tweets or Facebooks his status? After all, he’ll argue, his family, friends, baby mamas, posses, entourages, and supporters/fans are all concerned about his health and this is the best way to let everyone his status.

I can’t answer your questions, but I’m definitely happy that you and people like you waste time worrying about this stuff.

By: wcdunkenfield

wcdunkenfield — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:14:50 +0000

A couple of points:

Where did he get the cell? Fine THAT guy.

Whether you do or don’t experience a concussion, you are pretty much set up by this precedent/excuse. I.E., “I was calling my wife to tell her I was fine” OR “I don’t remember calling anyone, I was experiencing concussion-like symptoms…”

By: conspiracygenerator

conspiracygenerator — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:13:56 +0000

AlanSaysYo says: Jan 13, 2012 10:12 AM

When Antonio Cromartie gets hurt he just sends a group SMS to “All Baby Mamas.”
___________________________________

BOOM. Roasted.

By: granadafan

granadafan — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:11:50 +0000

How is the league going to handle inevitable situation when a player Tweets or Facebooks his status? After all, he’ll argue, his family, friends, baby mamas, posses, entourages, and supporters/fans are all concerned about his health and this is the best way to let everyone his status.

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:11:24 +0000

Mike, please stop.

If it’s some nitpickey nonsense like a player calling his wife following a devastating hit, yeah, the fine may be reversed. But if Roger is trying to make a point, the fine won’t be reversed no matter what the film shows and no matter what the rules say. That’s been proved repeatedly over the last two years.

Pretending the emperor is clothed when we all see his butt hanging out does nothing for your credibility.

By: steellady

steellady — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:55:42 +0000

If they are not going to return the game..then who cares what they do on the sidelines as long as they arent on twitter ,etc…..

By: mr4thand1

mr4thand1 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:52:33 +0000

Am I the only who thinks that this article is dumb as hell?

By: daveyjones1

daveyjones1 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:35:05 +0000

I would say that about 95% of employers frown on employees using cell phones to make personal calls while at work. How is the NFL different? I mean, it’s not like he was in real danger. There were medical staff around. Think about the firefighters, soldiers, and policemen who put their lives on the line everyday. Are they going to stop in the middle of what they are doing to call the wife? “Hey Honey, just putting out this fire and rescuing some people. Don’t worry I am fine. Sure, I will pick up some milk on the way home.”
Bottom line. Just because you are a superstar athlete doesn’t mean you get special treatment.

By: opbilly

opbilly — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:28:21 +0000

what is the policy regarding concussions in the NFL? Basically the rules say, if a team suspects that a player has a concussion, he is to immediately be removed from the game. He will then take a "baseline" test on the sideline which requires him to answer various questions he answered prior to the start of the season. Do you think the Steelers are breaking the concussion rules? YesNoPushing it.Submit Votevote to see results @sbs9101314304043 from nfl.com If the team doctor believes that the player has a concussion, he is to be removed from the sideline, and must go to the locker room. If this happens, then the player is not permitted to return to action, practice or game, until cleared by an independent neurologist.

By: smackingfools

smackingfools — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:18:12 +0000

Well let’s go fishing!

By: sojumaster

sojumaster — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:38:45 +0000

They could have avoided the whole issue and let Troy use a bluetooth. No way anyone would have seen it and if the camera showed him “talking to himself” they would have thought it was part of the concussion injury.

By: clintonportisheadd

clintonportisheadd — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:31:38 +0000

Thats a stupid post.

It was a situation where the TV folks were telling viewers (and family members) of a serious injury and TV showed visual evidence supporting that claim.

One can argue that THOSE players who leave the game with such an injury can call (but in the clubhouse please!) but its a ridiculous stretch to say it opens the doors for everyone.

In other words, is Stevie Johnson calls mom from a sideline cell and asks if she saw his last TD catch then expect a $10K fine. And expect it to stick.

By: mogogo1

mogogo1 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:18:26 +0000

There’s no can of worms here. They have a rule to keep guys from making calls but, as this case demonstrated, there will be rare times where extenuating circumstances result in the punishment being waived. Sensible, simple and fair.

If the guy didn’t just get helped off the field, I assure you he’s not going to successfully use the “But I was calling my wife to let her know I was okay” excuse.

By: Ted

Ted — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:59:31 +0000

Even considering the typo, I don’t get the connection between this and “The dog ate my homework.”

Troy, you are being fined for using a cell phone during a game. What is your defense?

The dog ate my cell phone.

Why am I not able to connect the dots here?

By: getit28

getit28 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:42:35 +0000

watching the game on tv and finding out her husband is fine that way should have been enough. he is not in the emergency room, he is on the sideline.

the appeal for the fine should have been denied

By: thereisalwaysnextyear

thereisalwaysnextyear — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:37:26 +0000

uvmcatamounts says:
Jan 13, 2012 9:43 AM
Ah, the old “dog-at-my-homework” excuse.

You don’t really expect PFT to proofread their posts do you? That’s about as naive as thinking coaches/GM’s etc tell the truth when making public statements.

By: sbs9101314304043

sbs9101314304043 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:36:36 +0000

opbilly
if he had gone directly to the locker room like the rule states for those that have a concussion to do

Please show me the rule that states what you are claiming above?

By: grogansheroes

grogansheroes — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:34:42 +0000

Every one knows he was calling his bookie.

By: kevinfromphilly

kevinfromphilly — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:29:55 +0000

Polomalu calling his wife on the sidelines. The San Diego kicker peeing on the sidelines. Sanchez eating a hot dog on the sidelines last year. Did someone outlaw going back into the locker room during the game?

By: melikefootball

melikefootball — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:27:27 +0000

God-del and his henchman continue to show so much willy nilly actions in their decesion making. They must throw darts at a tart board to make their decesions.

By: albanyhawker

albanyhawker — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:23:48 +0000

What’s the problem with using a cell phone on the sidelines? The NFL doesn’t want their viewers to see the players apparently involved in something other than the game.

The simple solution here is not to ban electronic devices, but rather to make a available a private area on the sidelines, where players can either make an important phone call, or relieve themselves (like the Jags kicker) without being caught by the cameras.

A large handicap construction site port-a-potty would seem to do the trick. Put on on each sideline and voila…no more problems taking a call or a whizz on the sidelines and getting caught by the TV cameras.

By: che1991

che1991 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:22:55 +0000

For about the millionth time, it was not HIS personal phone. He borrowed it from a trainer! There is a big difference between bringing your own phone to the field to tweet, text or call whoever when you are not on the field and borrowing a phone when you’ve been removed from the game due to injury.

Would it have been more of an issue if he’d left the sideline and walked up to the first level concourse and used a pay phone (if they still exist) or borrowed a fan’s phone & stepped into the tunnel?

This is a stupid issue caused by an increasingly stupid league.

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:22:51 +0000

Only lawyers and scam artists would see a potential can of worms here. The league handled it right. A player broke the rule and was punished for the sake of discipline and respect for the rules. The appeal focused on the extenuating circumstances and reversed the fine by applying common sense to a rule that must be blanket enforced to have any effect. That is how it should work. Players usually appeal fines so the league hears ridiculous excuses quite often.

As for the ability to contact family, do it from the locker room. If a player remains on the sidelines the family can assume he isn’t gravely injured.

By: steelersmichele

steelersmichele — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:19:48 +0000

the appeals process works? how can it work when the process of handing out fines is in such disarray?

$10,000 for using your phone on the sidelines but only $5,000 for hitting the QB or wearing the wrong color shoes. If there was actually a legitimate process for fining players, we wouldn’t have to worry so much about the appeals process.

By: eaglesnoles05

eaglesnoles05 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:12:47 +0000

Why not have the team physician make calls to players wives, family, etc, at the players request, after injuries? Now precedent is set here… here comes the cellphone-after-injury-is-ok era. When you can say “I had to tell my family I was ok” then what can anyone say to you? It’s the most important thing in the world for a family member waiting on pins and needles after watching a loved one get injured to know they are ok, if possible. And it is possible, without allowing players to use phones during the game, which I guess is important to the NFL since they have a bright line rule about it. That bright line is trashed now though.

Good thing there are no players in the league that will try to push the envelope and take advantage of this…lol

By: AlanSaysYo

AlanSaysYo — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:12:28 +0000

When Antonio Cromartie gets hurt he just sends a group SMS to “All Baby Mamas.”

By: vikingdude

vikingdude — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:10:42 +0000

What? There is not one, single normal’ phone in the entire stadium? They HAVE TO use their own, personal cell phone to contact a loved one? The league can still disallow use of a personal phone, no matter the situation if they allow players access to good, ol’ fashion hard-line phone. It’s not rocket science.

By: dbellina

dbellina — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:07:14 +0000

so make the rule that a player can only use the phone if they have been examined by team doctors on the sideline.

By: lionsfanatic84

lionsfanatic84 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:02:22 +0000

What’s a dog-at-my homework excuse? Did he deficate on it….how you ever became a writer is beyond me, shoulda stuck with being a lawyer