The NFL regular season is still roughly three months away and the
league already has fans hopping mad – female fans at least – about its new bag policy at football venues around the country.
The league made the announcement about
several policy changes regarding bags on its "All Clear" page on its website. On the page, the NFL outlined what will be permissible at stadiums during NFL games beginning with preseason contests. The items include:
Urgent: Is Obama Telling the Truth on IRS, Benghazi Scandals?
- Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12.” (Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are available through club merchandise outlets or at nflshop.com), or
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
- Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bag options.
- An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose.
The page also lists what is outlawed, which includes purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, backpacks seat cushions and camera bags. The NFL has even outlawed fanny packs.
“Our fans deserve to be in a safe and secure environment,” said Jeffrey Miller, NFL vice president and chief security officer on the web page. "Public safety is our top priority. This will make the job of checking items much more efficient and effective."
That didn't sit well with blogger
The Football Girl, who blasted the changes as a "disservice to female fans." She points out that while the NFL is banning many purses, it continues to sell purses with NFL logos on them.
"By asking women to leave their purses at home – and based on the restrictions, I mean asking every woman to leave her purse at home – the league is disconnecting from a fan base they are supposedly working so hard to expand," she said on her blog. "The league is certainly well aware of the importance of carrying a bag to a women; that’s why they’ve been selling team-logoed purses at stadiums and NFLShop.com for years."
Responses to the new rules on The FootballGirl.com's Facebook page echoed the same sentiment.
"
My purse has my keys, wallet, cell phone, feminine products, etc.," commented Anna Batie on the Facebook site. "So basically the NFL just instituted a policy that is quite discriminatory to women. I'm fed up."
Editor's Note: Get the Navy SEALs Cap – Celebrate Our Heroes
Related stories:
Former, Current NFL Players Speak Out Against Domestic Violence
Prison Firm Withdraws Gift to Name University Football Stadium