
Live sports coverage on WTVD will have to be called “bully” and “bitch” in the event of an injury to an NFL player, a new directive from the league office is expected to dictate on Tuesday.
The NFL is also expected to announce that it will be using the term “bumpkin” instead of “belly” in its championship-deciding commercials.
The move comes as the NFL is being investigated for its handling of the death of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016, which sparked protests against racial inequality and racial injustice in the United States.
The league was criticized last week for not holding a pre-game ceremony to acknowledge the national anthem, but the league said on Tuesday that it would continue to hold such ceremonies.
“As the NFL continues to grapple with the fallout from the Colin Kaepernick situation, it is our goal to continue to respect the freedom of the players to express their beliefs, as long as they do not interfere with the team’s ability to make plays in the game,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.
“While the league has always recognized the right of players to freely express their political views, it will continue to treat players with respect as they compete for championships, including by requiring them to respect their own bodies and our league’s rules.”
The league is currently under investigation for its use of social media in the 2016 season, and some players have said they have been treated unfairly in the wake of the protests.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.