In the NFL, a player may not leave his feet in celebration of a touchdown or a big play. IE no other body part may touch the ground. EXCEPT, if you wish to pray then your knee may touch the ground. However, other celebrations that involve the knee touching the ground are not allowed. Jared Allen of the Vikings was told that his traditional 'calf roping' celebration of a sack was not allowed and he would be penalised 15 yards and received a fine.
However, as an employer, the NFL is required by american law to treat all employees equally with regards to religion.
"Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of l964 ("Title VII") prohibits employers, except religious organizations
3 4 5, from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing, and other terms and conditions of employment. Title VII also requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee or prospective employee, unless to do so would create an undue hardship upon the employer. This means that:
- Employers may not treat employees more or less favorably because of their religion.
- Employees cannot be required to participate"or to refrain from participating"in a religious activity as a condition of employment.
- Employers must reasonably accommodate employees' sincerely held religious practices unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer.
- Employers must take steps to prevent religious harassment of their employees.
- Employers may not retaliate against employees for asserting rights under Title VII."
So in this case it seems clear to me that the NFL is not treating it's employees equally. It is allowing one behaviour for religious people that it is banning (and fining) for others.
Either everyone should be allowed to go on to one knee, or no one should be allowed to go on one knee. You can't discriminate because of religion (or lack thereof).
right?
