Josh Norman's concussion perfectly embodies two of the NFL's biggest flaws
Josh Norman was ready.
After blasting the NFL a couple weeks ago for its double standard on player celebrations, the Washington Redskins defensive back had something elaborate planned for Sunday's game, a bold celebration that would've challenged that double standard, head on.
But in a game where Norman was locked and loaded, ready to fire shots at the NFL, one of the league's other prominent issues fired back.
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Before Norman could uncork his celebration, a concussion knocked him out of the game.
Norman's proposed celebration — unveiled last week — would have mocked the NFL's attempt to keep football PG for younger audiences even as it religiously features beer advertisements at games and during broadcasts.
The fact that a concussion kept Norman from pulling it off is too fitting.
Players are criticizing the NFL for a range of issues this season. Meanwhile, the league is punishing players for celebrating touchdowns and big plays, and fining players for wearing cleats deemed too flashy. Yet it's still fumbling in the player safety department, particularly with its concussion protocol.
It was only a matter of time before a pair of those issues collided -- and Norman's case feels like the perfect mesh of two controversies that have played major roles this season.
