I was remarking to a friend of mine as we were watching the Iggles peck the eyes out of the Redskins Monday that despite the fact that I write a blog about consumer news (not sports) — I keep finding myself writing about the Washington Redskins and Daniel Snyder, their evil and apparently totally incompetent owner. The newest permutation of said evil is that the ‘Skins have banned signs from FedEx Field. Yes, signs are apparently dangerous.

The Washington Post says:

Now, no signs or banners are permitted whatsoever. A spokesman told me that this policy is meant to protect spectators from getting injured by signs, and also to make sure everyone can see the action. Because obstructed views at that stadium could not possibly be tolerated.

One security guard told me the policy went into effect at the beginning of the season. Another told me they were just told about it a few weeks ago. Either way, I can’t imagine there was a rash of tragic sign injuries since last season, when I never heard of such a policy.

The Post then attempted to document the rejected signs, many of which criticize the evil owner (for evidence of previous evil, click here), and his vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato.

For those of you not following the Redskins lately, they’re 2-5 and have yet to beat a team that’s won a game. They recently took offensive play calling away from their lame duck head coach and gave it to a guy who was quite literally calling Bingo the week before.

The Post tells the story of one longtime season ticket holder and his attempt to wear a t-shirt critical of ‘Skins ownership:

And now it’s Mike Broderick, a longtime season ticket holder, who came to the Chiefs game with Dumb and Dumber signs, attracting a security official who threatened to seize his season tickets. (See above.) The guard told Broderick he could either go to the security office, leave the stadium, or hand over the signs. So Broderick asked if he could put the image on a t-shirt instead.

“That would be kind of offensive,” the security official said.

“It’s offensive to come to these games,” Broderick said he replied.

Broderick gave up the signs, and came back on Monday Night with new signs hidden under his jacket, and with t-shirts to match. The signs were about to be taken, as NFL Network cameras rolled live, and Broderick showed the security guy the team’s old policy, printed in his telephone yellow pages, which he had brought as proof. Policy’s been changed, he was told. Eventually, he said, security also made him turn his t-shirt inside-out, calling P.G. cops in for support. He said I could use his name, because his frustration overwhelms any fear of losing his seats.

“I’m to the point where I can’t even give the stupid tickets away because people are so frustrated,” he said.

Gee, Dan. Lighten up. These sign making hooligans are your customers, are they not?

Redskins ban signs at FedEx Field [Washington Post]

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