Sports Blog
April 15, 2010 11:49 AM

NCAA Sends Message: No More Eye Black Messages

By
Stephen Smith
Topics

Tim Tebow in 2009.

(Credit: AP)

In college, Tim Tebow was known for two things: his record-breaking play on the football field and the bible verses he wore on his eye black during games.

In fact, Florida fans urged everyone to wear eye black (with or without Bible verses on them) in honor of Tebow's final game in Gainesville.

Tebow may be the last to sport scripture on his cheeks after new NCAA measures were approved Thursday.

The NCAA rules panel announced that eye black with messages and wedge blocks will be banned in college football next season.

The panel also said that taunting penalties could cost teams points in 2011. The committee approved a proposal that will negate touchdowns for taunting, if the foul occurs before the player scores.

As CBSSports.com's Dennis Dodd notes, the new taunting rule forces referees to make the ultimate judgment call.

"You can imagine the obvious complications ahead," Dodd says. "One man's taunting gesture is another man's no-call. Adding one more judgment call to the rulebook is asking for trouble, especially when a game is on the line."


  • Stephen Smith

    Stephen Smith is a news producer and sports editor for CBSNews.com

Add a Comment
by TVO1CITW April 15, 2010 4:11 PM EDT
It was a great idea only a Christian would think of. First-out-of-the-box idea, original and genuine and now, well, let's retire the idea. Good thing because there would be people trashing it and making a mess of such a wonderful think. May it go down in the record books as it is. Pure.
Reply to this comment
by John_Merritt April 15, 2010 12:41 PM EDT
If there were crude or demeaning messages I could see that. What about "Mi Mom and Dad" or "I Aced My Test"? C'mon guys a person is supposed to wear his pride of ownership on his sleeves and swear to this country in their hearts and minds, what is a little message proclaiming your pride in something else?
Reply to this comment
by freechoice4all April 15, 2010 2:00 PM EDT
because its a football game, not a soap box for your religion or any other message. the next step would be players or schools getting paid for putting an advertisers name on the black patch. Get the focus back to the game, football is not about patriotism (except in Texas), religion, politics, etc, etc. They are college students playing a team sport/game and its is not about their being allowed free speech or expression on the field.
by TVO1CITW April 15, 2010 7:26 PM EDT
freechoice4all - I would think you would be concerned about free choice, but, you are not. He is driven by his expression of religion truth and I know what he means. That drives a person. The only problem is that porn drives others and we cannot have that out there any more than it is. Sex consumes 50% of the sport anyway. OL
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