Read the debate intro and Sports Geek’s argument.

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek mimicked Captain Morgan pirate pose after a touchdown. Celek caught wind of an undercover advertising ploy by the liquor company in which it said it would donate $10,000 to charity, in this case the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, for every player who struck the pose. I will agree that the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a worthy cause. The fund is used to assist retired NFL players with hardships after football such as lack of funds, disability benefits, or those without pension benefits. It is something Mike Ditka has been the face of for years, and I commend the whole organization. But this is not the way to raise money for it.

No matter what the cause or what product a player is endorsing, it is just an overall bad idea. The NFL calls it “ambush marketing” and a form of guerilla advertising. No matter the wording of the concept, it reeks of undercover sketchiness, even if in Celek’s case, it is a blatant form of subliminal advertising.

According to Greg Aiello, a spokesman for the NFL, the league says that players “are specifically prohibited under our policies from wearing, displaying, promoting or otherwise conveying their support of a commercially identified product during a game while they’re on the field. Whether it’s rum or soft drinks or any other commercial product, that type of promotion is prohibited.” In other words, Celek’s promotion of a commercial product like Captain Morgan is prohibited. The NFL has its players under contract and that is the rule. If that is the rule, then guess what? That is the rule!

Plus, any type of celebration endorsement could interfere with exclusive contracts the league has with other commercial products. I think this is a fine line to walk. Would a company like Coors Light, which is heavily involved with the NFL (yes, we have all seen the Coors Light press conference commercials) approve of any type of “guerilla advertising” involving another company that sells alcohol? I highly doubt it. Captain Morgan has gotten a lot of publicity from this stunt, though it did not pay the NFL one penny. The league loses and the league’s sponsorship partners lose. It is a lose-lose situation. It could get to the point where any endorsed celebration dance would overshadow the game. Instead of a three hour football game, viewers would get a three-hour infomercial. It is bad enough that fans have to sit through commercials after almost every change of possession. Why do we need this? The Lambeau Leap enough! Whatever happened to celebrating with teammates?

Yes, it would be a way for the players to make a quick buck, but is it really necessary? I think you take away from the natural experience of a football game. Players run the risk of being too “commercialized” and that is not what the league wants!

The NFL Players Union and the NFL owners should help former NFL athletes who are financially and physically devastated by injuries they sustained while playing in the NFL. Most of them have used up their life savings because of huge medical bills. Some of these athletes include Conrad Dobler, Brent Boyd, Harry Carson, Donnie Green, Mike Mosley, and Brian DeMarco, just to name a few. In 2002, former player Mike Webster died, destitute and demented.

Mike Ditka’s Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund is a nonprofit organization that is helping these players. Its website is www.gridirongreats.org If you’d like to make a donation, call 800-708-1078 or e-mail to gridirongreats24@aol.com