Dallas Cowboys' Marion Barber to continue to let dreadlocks show
Even though he was dragged to the ground by his dreadlocks this past Sunday, Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber insists that he will continue to let his hair hang out when his team faces the New Orleans Saints on Thursday 25 November.
During the Cowboys’ recent 35-19 victory over the Detroit Lions, Ndamukong Suh, the Lions first-year defensive tackle was penalized 15 yards for what the officials deemed a horse-collar takedown. In actuality, NFL rules state that any player may pull another’s
mane in the process of making a tackle. Barber, whose long dreadlocks fall past his shoulder pads, stated that it was the first time in his six-year career that he has been tackled by his dreads.
The penalty, which occurred early in the game’s fourth quarter, proved costly for the Lions, setting the Cowboys up with first and goal at the Detroit five-yard line. The Cowboys went on to score on a Jon Kitna touchdown pass just a few plays later, stretching
their lead to 28-19.
“They said he didn’t pull his hair, that they got a horse-collar,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz told the media after the loss. “I saw what you saw. That was a huge penalty. It gave them another chance.”
At practice this week, Barber has kept his dreadlocks hidden, tying them up in a ponytail and stuffing them under his shoulder pads. And, even though he promises to let them swing against the Saints, the team’s interim coach, Jason Garrett, doesn’t have a problem
with the hairdo.
“I’m fine with that,” Garrett told ESPNDallas.com. “I’m fine with his hair being out. It seems to be a trend in the league.”
A number of players around the league, most notably Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, have more hair than their helmet can contain. The horse-collar rule, meanwhile, is meant to deter players from making an open-field tackle by dragging their opponent
down from behind by the shoulder pads or jersey, specifically around the neck.
Tags: