Professional football players are soooo un-professional.
But then these are the examples for our high school athletes. In essence, these days if a high school player want to act like a "professional" athlete he has to act like an egotistical self promoting exhibitionist buffoon.
Frankly I'd like to see the film of this guy after the race. If he was humbly pointing to the sky, then it should obviously be a protected speech issue. If he was prancing around holding his finger in the air in the "We're Number One" pose, then the punishment probably fit the crime.
The headline and the story suggest that this was a humble act of acknowledgment of God. If it is a waffler, then you have to err on the side of protecting his rights. If it was flagrant, then that would be a different story.
Regardless, the rule is still most likely unconstitutionally vague. It leaves too much discretion up to the state appointed officials.
I agree with you that it’s better to err on the side of his religious rights.
My 8 years as a track coach says he crossed the finish line and did some distance toward a victory lap with his finger in the air.
Beyond all this, I think it’s a dumb rule, and except for high jumpers and pole vaulters, I don’t like our rules in Ohio about jewelry. But, we always told the kids the rules, spoke against the dumb ones when appropriate, and nonetheless expected them to be followed.
All that said, and Tebow notwithstanding, the raised index is vastly more common as a sign of #1 than of anything else.
Romney made it famous as “The Finger in the Wind” checking his beliefs.