The Parents Television Council Wants the FCC to Fine CBS for the Foul Language Joe Flacco Used Last Night

What the...?

USA TODAY Sports

By now, you've no doubt heard about the F-bomb that Joe Flacco dropped on live TV last night after the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII. If you haven't, go listen to it over here. Or, wait, actually...don't. We shouldn't be promoting the use of foul language on TV! It's wrong. It's so wrong. It's going to corrupt the kids of the world and…oh, %&^* that! It was an athlete celebrating the biggest win of his career. Of course he cursed! We're not surprised.

But, the Parents Television Council is. So, they just released a statement urging the FCC to fine CBS heavily for allowing Flacco's curse word to be broadcast live. No, really: Despite the fact that CBS was simply capturing the moment and discovered that—SURPRISE!—professional athletes curse, the PTC wants CBS to pay a penalty.

"Despite empty assurance after empty assurance from the broadcast networks that they would never air indecent material, especially during the Super Bowl, it has happened again," PTC president Tim Winter said today. "No one should be surprised that a jubilant quarterback might use profane language while celebrating a career-defining win, but that is precisely the reason why CBS should have taken precautions. Joe Flacco's use of the F-word, while understandable, does not absolve CBS of its legal obligation to prevent profane language from being broadcast—especially during something as uniquely pervasive as the Super Bowl. The instance was aired live across the country, and before the FCC's designated 'Safe Harbor' time everywhere but along the East Coast…The FCC must step up to its legal obligation to enforce the law, or families will continue to be blindsided."

Seriously? Blindsided? We get that it'd be unacceptable for CBS to air, say, whatever was coming out of Jim Harbaugh's mouth after the refs didn't call defensive holding on the Ravens on the 49ers final offensive play of the game. But, c'mon! One word—one completely understandable word—slipped by the CBS censors. Maybe the guy in charge of dumping it was a Ravens fan. Who knows? But, it hardly seems like it warrants a huge fine from the FCC. Go thaaaaaaatta way, PTC!

RELATED: The Most Memorable Moments in Super Bowl History

[via Entertainment Weekly]

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