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February 15, 2007

NFL Suppresses Recruitment Ad for the Border Patrol

Posted by Dave Blount at February 15, 2007 8:06 AM

Every Super Bowl brings hoopla over the ads that run. This year we were treated to a few politically charged "Black History Month" pieces and a groan-inducingly moronic Snickers ad in which mechanics share a homosexual kiss and then rip out their chest hair to prove their masculinity. But not all of the ads are on TV. You can also advertise on the program handed out at the game — or at least you can if you're not the Border Patrol.

The NFL wouldn't run a recruitment ad because it was "controversial." Here's the passage that spokesman Greg Aiello would like us to consider inflammatory:

As Border Patrol agents, it will be your responsibility to prevent the entry of terrorists and their weapons into the United States. You'll help detect and prevent the unlawful entry of undocumented aliens into the United States … [and ] play a primary role in stopping drug smuggling across our borders.

We sure wouldn't want anyone associating the NFL with stopping drug smuggling. Where are the players supposed to get their supplies?

Apparently the concern is that Mexicans won't like the NFL if they think it condones the concept of defending our borders from their incursions. Says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:

We love Mexico. We have a great fan base there.

Mind you don't lose your fan base here.