National Football League

NFL may adopt penalties for racial, gender slurs

Published Feb. 22, 2014 11:47 a.m. ET

foxsports

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL competition committee may attempt to clean up the language on the field next season.

Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, one of the committee members, told reporters Saturday the league is looking at ways to reduce the use of racial and gender-related slurs sometimes used during games. Newsome is in Indianapolis for the NFL's scouting combine.

No votes will be held on any potential rules changes until next month's owners meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Newsome noted the concerns of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a group of minority coaches and front-office, scouting and game-day NFL officials. He also said game officials told the committee what they sometimes hear on the field and that microphones around the field often capture what is being said.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org