I know.  Hang out long enough and you''ll see anything.  This union member deserves better treatment.  More from Deadspin:

"Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu, the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has been fined $10,000 for talking on a cell phone while in the bench area. Possession of cell phones in the bench area during a game is prohibited beginning 90 minutes before kickoff through the end of the game.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Polamalu was calling his wife to assure her he wasn't seriously injured after suffering a concussion."

So let me get this straight.  Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz (coaches in the NFL) chase each other around the field after a game, curse repeatedly and almost come to blows - no action from the league.  A great citizen of the NFL (Polamalu) calls his wife from the sidelines to tell her he's OK from the road and gets fined?

Troy, you need a better union steward.

Wait a second - you collectively bargained all your rights away.  The NFL has the right to do this under your union contract.  Your union was so eager to get dues checkoff (that's direct deposit for union dues to the union bank account from your check - without you ever holding the money) that they traded a bunch of stuff, including the ability to fine you for anything, for this right.

It's not right.  But it's how the game works.

It's interesting to note that this is the type of management decision that actually opens up a window in non-union companies for organizing.  You're going to act a fool as a company?  We need a union.  Let's hold some meetings.

Once the union's in?  If you bargained the contract, we're good to go.  The NFL can do anyting it wants under that contract, even if it's something as stupid as a fine/demerit for a cell phone call to a loved one - to tell them you're going to live after an accident.

Warped and ironic.