OPINION: What's in a collar? It used to just be material and a fashionable design.
These days, depending on who you are, it's a commercial opportunity, or a kind of oppression.
If it's true that Sonny Bill Williams has taken a religious stance against financial advertising, he felt his rugby jersey was more like a dog collar. But that's where things get complicated.
Thank goodness players like Williams aren't willing to be restrained from their natural instinct to run free. Equally, it's great that New Zealand Rugby's progressive enough to understand sometimes they need to let go of the leash.
The conscientious objector clause allows players not to represent team sponsors, if they're morally opposed to their product or message. Considering how important sponsors are to running the game, that's a bold move.
Williams isn't the only one who does it. It's just that the other protests remain silent. As ever, Williams was willing to make his decision front page news.
But once you start objecting to sponsors, where do you draw the line?
How come Williams has been happy enough to be photographed and filmed with his collar showing during training sessions?
Furthermore, NZ Rugby told RadioLIVE on Sunday that Williams has conscientious objections to finance companies, among other things. Why then was he happy to bear on his sleeve the logo of banking and asset management firm Investec?
It wasn't until yesterday I learned Islam - which Williams follows - has a different set of banking rules when it comes to charging interest. All I knew was the system I'd been born into.
Who would have thought a rugby collar could expand past your neck and open your mind?
I'm no financial expert but I do know mortgages are like dog collars for many of us. We have little choice but to walk exactly where our financial owners want to take us, if we want to get ahead.
Some brief research reveals Islamic banks offer a system of investment where profits are split at a pre-determined rate, instead of using interest.
I don't know whether that is better or worse but at least now I know there's another way.
As usual, people are criticising Williams. They say he has only given BNZ more profile than they would have had otherwise. But maybe not all publicity is good publicity.
Ross Karl is a Newshub rugby reporter.
