OK Ohio- adornments galore

[ajmc]

The current rule about "uniform adornments" is one of the simplist, easy to understand rules ever written. Rather than deal with a never ending list of what should not be worn, there's a really short list of things that can be worn (NF:1-5-3-a-5).

There's no explanation necessary, no discussion the item is either an "unmarked white towel" or a "moisture absorbing sweatband", worn properly, or it can't be worn by a player. Abiding by this rule is clearly something that should be established IN THE LOCKERROOM BEFORE THE GAME. If handled properly, enforcement on the field should NEVER be necessary.

The best time to deal with this nonsense is before the game where you can either advise the player he CANNOT PLAY with whatever he's aearing, or point it out to the Head Coach and explain that if that player somehow get's in the game with whatever he's wearing, it will cause a 15 yard USC penalty against the Head Coach (who certified all players were properly equipped).

If it happens after that, the HC deserves the flag.

[bigjohn]

Many officials act like it is beneath them to enforce such a clearly written rule.

[bisonlj]

In our area you see these kinds of adornments all the time. Most crews either aren't aware that certain things are illegal or they don't worry about them. Our performance is only evaluated by coaches and they don't care that players are wearing this stuff so many officials don't either. Until some process is in place that holds officials accountable for things like this I doubt we'll see much of a change.