Chris Cooley: Don't Get Fined

Cooley's take on the current state of the NFL's policing of the dress code policy, and the fines involved. Cooley is smart enough not to go "tweeting" about how ridiculous the policies are, but without directly saying so, he pretty much lets it be known how he feels.

The Official Blog of Chris Cooley: Don't Get Fined (http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2009/08/dont-get-fined.html)

I gotta say, the dress code strictness seems a little over the top to me.

Cooley's take on the current state of the NFL's policing of the dress code policy, and the fines involved. Cooley is smart enough not to go "tweeting" about how ridiculous the policies are, but without directly saying so, he pretty much lets it be known how he feels.

The Official Blog of Chris Cooley: Don't Get Fined (http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2009/08/dont-get-fined.html)

I gotta say, the dress code strictness seems a little over the top to me.

More than a little to me. What a joke.

When people are spending the money that they are and the money that is at stake rules are going to be there. At least you get a warning for having your shirt untucked. Try having a untucked shirt in boot camp and see what your drill sergent has to say, you would be happy to pay $5k and not have to listen to him.

I love Cooley but dude you have a pretty damn nice life I considered this nit-picky of you to complain you have to follow some rules. I am make a fraction of what he does and my employer tells me what is expected of my attire and they nit pick my work to ensure every detail is correct. Sorry Cooley but welcome to the real world.

i disagree boot camp is a bit different then the nfl. They do what they love and got in the nfl on pure passion. You joined bootcamp because you cant afford a college education and need a job lol. the dress code is rediculous just let them play. This league is getting stupid with the lame hit penalties and dress code policies. i agree some regulation is required however the commissioner is taking it too far

i disagree boot camp is a bit different then the nfl. They do what they love and got in the nfl on pure passion. You joined bootcamp because you cant afford a college education and need a job lol. the dress code is rediculous just let them play. This league is getting stupid with the lame hit penalties and dress code policies. i agree some regulation is required however the commissioner is taking it too far

So a warrior or a combatant cannot be passionate about being a warrior or a combatant? I believe you can.

The dress code is about professionalism. A professional soldier has a dress code, a professional business man has a dress code, a professional doctor has a dress code, a professional football player has a dress code. Some may be more stringent than others, so what. I like uniformity personally. Even if I don't and somebody wants to pay me big money to play a sport that I am passionate about under the stipulation that I follow their rules, then I am going to follow them.

i disagree boot camp is a bit different then the nfl. They do what they love and got in the nfl on pure passion. You joined bootcamp because you cant afford a college education and need a job lol. the dress code is rediculous just let them play. This league is getting stupid with the lame hit penalties and dress code policies. i agree some regulation is required however the commissioner is taking it too far

I'm surounded by the military and alot of them join because its what they want to do and yes some join because of financial reasons. I'd also say there is a small % of football players that play just for the money and not the love for the game. The reason for the dress code is to set a standard that all players must follow which I feel is a good thing. Could you imagine what some of these players would wear if there was not a dress code? Do they go overboard at times? Yes, but its not that hard to put on the uniform thats provided, cleaned, and cared for by the team.

Yeah the code does seem a little nuts. Seems like you could get fined for doing something that you weren't even aware of. But hey, that's why they pay these guys the big bucks.

I understand both sides. I mean, it's just a freakin' nose strip for God's sake! On the other hand, particularly in today's culture of the "look at me" athlete, any little freedom will be exploited and pushed beyond reasonable limits by a few. It's just easier to enforce strict uniformity rather than go into the "is this too much?" for every deviance from the rule. Also, more fair - none of this "he can do that - why can't I do this?" (It's like parents with multiple kids - You can't figure it out? Fine, then nobody gets to do it.)

Like it or not, the NFL's big business with a brand and sponsors to protect. The only time it's a game is when the game clock is running.