J.K. Rolling Jewelry in pro sports

Author: Jeff Klein

You know what seems ridiculous to me? Professional athletes who wear jewelry during games.

This is an idea I've held for as long as I've been following professional sports, but it has become increasingly noticeable in recent years as more and more Major League Baseball (MLB) players - and even some National Football League (NFL) players - are donning an assortment of earrings and necklaces, if not both.

The most convincing argument against wearing jewelry on the field is that it is potentially dangerous.

Back on Aug. 26, 2001, in a game between the Cleveland Indians and the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland batter Omar Vizquel complained to the ump that the diamond-studded earrings worn by Seattle pitcher Arthur Rhodes were distracting him, as they were reflecting sunlight that obstructed Vizquel's view of the ball.

If Vizquel couldn't see, how would he duck out of the way of an inside pitch?

The ump ordered Rhodes to remove his earrings. Rhodes immediately became incensed, pointing menacingly at Vizquel and indicating that he would attempt to hit him with the next pitch.

The ump was left with no other alternative but to eject Rhodes. Why was Rhodes so furious?

"I told the umpire I've been wearing them the whole year," he said. "So why should I take them out?"

Arthur, you should take them out because you look ridiculous wearing them.

Several years ago, when I was watching Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn get up from a pile of bone-crushing tacklers, I noticed a thick silver necklace under his helmet.

Wearing jewelry in football is even more dangerous than in baseball, yet I've seen multiple NFL players on the sideline remove their helmets and reveal their bling.

Most of the time they'll be wearing earrings, like the yellow diamond ones wide receiver Terrell Owens has worn on occasion during games.

I guess he doesn't understand the hazard this creates, wearing these things while playing one of the most contact-heavy sports in the world in which serious injuries happen frequently.

Just one awkward landing from a vicious hit by a linebacker could cause him to permanently regret ever making such a foolish decision.

Moving beyond the safety factor, there is simply no place for jewelry in professional sporting events. The idea of wearing stuff on the field that you'd wear to a party seems just a little absurd.

Doesn't the notion of wearing jewelry contradict the rugged, intense attitude that professional athletes are supposed to convey? I'm not saying that a big-league pitcher who wears a necklace isn't trying his hardest, but the whole concept just seems at odds with one's occupation as a professional athlete.

So make it simple: the commissioners of both MLB and the NFL should put a ban on all jewelry while players are out on the field. Not only would it serve as a safety precaution, but it would also improve the image of each league.

Save the jewelry for the championship rings. They are big enough in their own right.