Every October, the NFL loosens its obsessive-compulsive grip on the uniform rules, allowing players to accent their attire with pink.
In some cases, the pink becomes prevalent, from socks to cleats to gloves to mouthpieces to the “C” patch on the captain jerseys. Though it’s done for the very good cause of breast cancer awareness (that said, there are many other very good causes that are excluded, such as a much-needed effort to cajole the sport’s doctor-averse middle-aged male fans to get their prostates and colons checked), it’s strange to see the league welcome the use, in non-uniform fashion, of a color that clashes with many teams’ schemes and otherwise undermines the traditional concept and meaning of a uniform.
But even as the league declares that it’s open season for the color pink, all other uniform rules remain in place, as Lions receiver Nate Burleson and cornerback Eric Wright are learning the hard way.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Burleson was fined $5,000 for not showing white in his socks on Monday night. Wright was fined an undisclosed amount for wearing all black socks.
We fully support the breast cancer awareness efforts. But we think the league should revisit the liberal and unrestrained use of pink, especially if the league otherwise is going to take money from players who stray from the chapter-and-verse requirements during a month in which the rule book regarding uniforms is dipped in a vat of Pepto Bismol.