Is This The NFL's Attitude Era?

Back in the late nineties wrestling was seriously struggling. The two superpowers, the WCW and the then WWF were haemorrhaging viewers. Fans had seen it all or so they thought. What followed this dip was nothing short of a wrestling revolution or punk-like renaissance.

The WCW headhunted most of the WWF's top stars and formed the trend setting NWO. They were the epitome of anti-establishment. Graffiti, profanity, abuse, degradation, the NWO brought it all. WCW completely overtook the WWF in viewing figures and the former mainstay of sports entertainment looked destined for the scrapheap.

As is with warring superpowers the WWF hit back. They formed their own insurrectionary movement, Degeneration X. With crotch-chops, apparent disregard for management and wrestling limits pushed, the WWF roared back into relevance.

Pieces such as the beer-swigging everyman Stone Cold Steve Austin were added and what followed was the zenith of professional wrestling, the WWF Attitude Era. It was a game-changer. WWF, now WWE went stratospheric and never looked back. The NFL may just be about to enter their own, real-life attitude era.

We are now living out our lives within the age of the internet 'meta-conscience'. Social Media has given young people from all walks of life a voice so they can project their opinions to the world. This can be perceived as a good or bad thing and the effects of this age are debated endlessly in the Social Media war that is currently being waged. Whether it's #BlackLivesMatter, #AllLivesMatter or even #Trump2016 or #Hillary2016 everybody seems to have a 'hot take', Hot takes are interesting and create debate and perhaps stir social conversation but it certainly creates interesting times.

The main story permeating the NFL at the moment is that of Colin Kaepernick and his ever-burgeoning and perhaps evolving social conscience. He has decided that during the American National Anthem he will now kneel (after first just sitting) in order to voice his discontent at a number of unaddressed issues he feels are running deep within the social fibre of American life.

This has created a stir that without Social Media or cyberspace saturation would not have been possible. This storyline may just be the beginning as we see the ushering in of a new age in the NFL. Over the last few years we have seen the largely player controlled NBA and its stars make a number of social comments and gestures related to prominent national discourse. They have been encouraged to voice an opinion and help raise awareness for issues which the public feel need to gain more recognition.

We also live in the era of 'celebrity obsession' and nothing can help a cause more than someone with the gravitas of Lebron James having a viewpoint and projecting his opinion. Celebrities, whether sportsman or TV stars are our new leaders. If Aliens invaded the homes of any young 18-24 year old and said 'Take me to your leader', they could well be directed to Hollywood and the nearest Kardashian melodrama. The NBA culture is geared to this player power, the sport is player driven and the stars within that league hold the cards.

The NFL, perhaps until now was seen as a franchise league, ran by traditional owners and the heavy-hitting powerbroker, the NFL commissioner. Players having views on social issues and politics publicly was at least discouraged and at best strictly controlled. This may be about to change.

Colin Kaepernick could be the first of many to intertwine his personal opinions and thoughts within the nuts and bolts of his chosen profession. More will follow. There seems to be a divide opening up within the sport between the NFL hierarchy and the players within the sport. A sort of overt, anti-NFL movement.

With recent skirmishes such as 'deflategate' and the current PED/Al Jazeera alleged scandal involving players using PEDs there seems to be a real 'us vs. them' narrative developing between players and the management. I expect this to widen.

There is a feeling that the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell is not well liked amongst the players and this is sure to expose itself further in the coming season as battle lines are drawn and trenches are dug. Combine these dynamics with a changing player culture, driven by the younger players on rosters and the Social Media

'Guerrilla War', the NFL could be an explosive place this season, on and off the field. Grab your popcorn, crack open a Budweiser and enjoy the NFL's 'attitude era'.

Words by Jamie Morrall

Anonymous