The National Football League made headlines recently with its attempt to implement a rule disallowing the use of any discriminatory language on the field, most notably the N-word.
Use of such language would result in a 15-yard penalty against the team of the player who uses the language. 
A second violation of the new rule would result in an ejection of any player.
John Wooten, former NFL offensive lineman and Fritz Pollard Alliance Chairman, said he would be taken aback if the league did not enact the new rule suggested by his organization.
“We want this word to be policed from the parking lot to the equipment room to the locker room,” Wooten said. “Secretaries, public relations people, whoever — we want it eliminated completely and policed everywhere.”
Since word broke of the potential new rule, everyone from seasoned veterans to journalists to die-hard football fans has voiced his or her opinion about the rule.
Of all the concerns that have been voiced, one of the most gleaming concerns is the method that would be used in making sure it is successfully implemented on the field.
How will referees monitor what all 22 players on the field say? Will each player receive a microphone before the game? Even then, one must realize football is a very fast-paced game. Would such a rule not be a bit of a hindrance to the overall flow of this great game?
Also, those who attempt to enact this legislation must understand the culture of not only football, but of today’s mainstream society. 
Take, for example, the instances when the N-word is exchanged between two African-American NFL players. 
In certain contexts, the word could often be used between African-Americans not as a means of degradation but as a method of approval between players. This is thanks in part to the hip-hop culture that has overtaken the sports world.  
Will the referees take into consideration the context such cultural confines when flagging players for use of the N-word? Furthermore, such a rule is bound to stir up plenty of questions about other types of slurs that transcend racial barriers. 
American Indians have recently argued the NFL team name “Redskins” is offensive to their people and have demanded the franchise change its name.  In response, Washington team owner Dan Snyder told USA Today he would “never change the name.” But, after such a drastic legislation has been proposed, it may not be long before he has to eat those words.
Furthermore, with the upcoming draft in May, the NFL could see its first openly-gay player in history in defensive end Michael Sam. With his arrival also comes the possibility of opposing players using homosexual slurs against him on the field. Is there a possibility of an addition of penalties against anti-gay slurs in the future as well?
Regardless of how anyone feels about the probable enactment of this rule, we all should applaud the efforts being made by the NFL. 
This penalty is about much more than just a word — it is about attempting to change a culture that seems to have become accepted in our society. 
No matter what context or from what mouth these words come, they are hurtful, wrong and unacceptable. 
It is clear the intentions of the league are good. Only time will tell if the players of the NFL will take initiative and not give the referees a reason to assess this newly enacted penalty through the entirety of the upcoming season.