
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 19, 1994                   TAG: 9410190026
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BEN BEAGLE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IT'S OK TO CRUSH THEIR BONES - JUST DON'T HURT THEIR FEELINGS

The fact that I have begun to doubt professional football is not due merely to the general misconduct and incompetence of the Washington Redskins.

It has do with this rule about being nasty to opponents.

I mean, what is happening to the game when you can get a 15-yard penalty for "taunting" another player?

You have to wonder what Slingin' Sammy Baugh thinks of such a rule, not to mention Conrad Dobler.

But there it is. On a recent Sunday afternoon an exuberant player who had caught a touchdown pass - despite the efforts of two gentlemen of the opposing team to knock him silly - spiked the ball in front of these defenders. He cost his team 15 yards because of such reprehensible behavior.

You can see penalties for hitting people below the waist or grabbing the runner by the face mask. These practices can cause serious injury - as in broken backs or necks.

But "taunting?" What injury did the defenders suffer in this instance? They were not kicked, punched or bitten. No eyes were gouged.

I hope we are not expected to believe that such behavior causes deep psychological wounds in the above-mentioned defensive backs - often called "DBs" by over-jocked sports commentators.

I know. I know. Something happened to Terry Bradshaw on the playing field, but I don't think "taunting" had anything to do with it. I would guess an extended series of blows to the head might explain Terry's behavior on national television.

I don't believe these defensive backs told their coach after the game that "taunting" destroyed something deep within themselves and the emotional hurt was far more distressing than a pulled hamstring.

I don't think one of them said:

"I don't know, coach. I just feel dirty somehow. When he threw that ball down in front of me, my sense of self-worth disappeared, and I knew I had betrayed you and the team. In addition, certain unpleasant episodes from my childhood flashed before my eyes.

"I just hate to shower and go home because I'll be up all night crying my eyes out. It was really quite devastating. Until now, I didn't realize how cruel people can be."

And I don't think the coach said:

"It was abominable thing to do, Leon. I'll get you into counseling on Monday as soon as you can get all of the old kinks out and move."

I dunno. If I were Leon, I'd rather be taunted than counseled any day.

by CNB