Demagogue

Much like my post yesterday on the West Virginia mine company fines, this column by the Washington Post's Michael Wilbon reminds us that the NFL has also lost sight of the principle of proportionality:

If the NFL is willing to fine (Washington Redskins running back) Clinton Portis $20,000 for wearing the wrong socks and a tinted visor, one would think the league could muster up the courage to really hammer anybody who had the gall to spit in another man's face during a game, right in front of the referee no less.

Since the NFL fined Redskins safety Sean Taylor only $17,000 yesterday for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman, the only thing we can conclude is that the league is more offended by mismatched socks than having one of its players ejected during a playoff game for doing something truly vile and detestable.

... This isn't his first offense; Taylor is in just his second season but already is developing a reputation for hitting late and headhunting. Not only that, this probably isn't even Taylor's first spitting offense; Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh accused Taylor of spitting in his face last year immediately after a game at FedEx Field.

... The NFL punked out on this one. They like to play tough cop on socks and visors, and whether a guy's hair is covering the league's and manufacturer's logos, but won't confront a spitter caught in the act by one on-the-money referee.