End Hazing in the NFL
It is time for the National Football League (NFL) and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) to take an official stance against hazing. Currently, 44 states have anti-hazing laws, and the NCAA, every national fraternity and sorority, and almost every college have anti-hazing policies, yet the NFL openly allows hazing to persist among its teams.
From http://wwww.hazingprevention.org - "The difference between hazing and bullying is subtle. The same power dynamics are involved. The same intimidation tactics are used. The same second-class citizenship issues arise. The only real difference between bullying and hazing is that bullying can happen to anyone, anytime; and hazing is done to a person or group of people in order to gain entrance into a club, organization, team or formal group."
As role models for our youth, the NFL must take an official stance against hazing. Until an official policy is introduced, we the undersigned petitioners will forgo attending or viewing any NFL game or function.
We the undersigned will forgo attending or viewing any NFL game or function until the National Football League and the National Football League Players Association adopt official anti-hazing policies. With anti-hazing laws existing in 44 states, and hazing occurring as early as middle school for some teams, clubs or organizations, it is time for action to be taken to address this issue.
We respect the efforts of both the league and the players association to hold players accountable for their actions off the field, and we hope that you will add hazing to list of unacceptable behaviors for players and teams. As we believe you will agree, it is important for players to role model the behaviors expected of our youth.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and we hope you will promptly address this issue in the best interests of the NFL, the NFLPA and our society.
