The NFL has been criticized for its handling of off-the-field abuse by its players, but it may have turned the corner on verbal abuse between the hashmarks.
The league’s reported number of instances of verbal abuse and racial slurs dropped sharply this season, according to the Washington Post. The Fritz Pollard Alliance told league officials there were just six reported instances in 2014, down from 29 in 2013.
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The Fritz Pollard Alliance pushed for a ban on racial and homophobic slurs following the 2013 season, and the NFL honored its request. Chairman John Wooten sees the drop in numbers as a huge positive for the league.
“I think it says very clearly that the players understand the gravity of what we’re trying to do,” Wooten told the Post.
Violations of the league’s zero-tolerance policy are treated like an unsportsmanlike penalty (15 yards) plus potential additional discipline. San Francisco quarterback Collin Kaepernick was fined for alleged use of a racial slur last season, but his fine was reduced due to lack of evidence.
“I think the clubs and everyone else are to be congratulated. The key thing here is we’re talking about respect," Wooten said. "It’s about respect and dignity. Ideally it should be zero. But it’s headed in the right direction.”