Procter & Gamble out of NFL breast cancer awareness promotion -- report

The NFL has made a big deal out of breast cancer awareness month since 2009, turning all kinds of items on the field and players’ uniforms pink.

But with the league facing questions about its treatment of women in the aftermath of the Ray Rice scandal, there may be a little less of the movement’s signature color out there during NFL games in October.

Procter & Gamble has informed players that it will not be providing pink mouth guards as part of the league’s breast awareness effort, according to multiple media reports. The corporate giant and its Crest toothpaste brand were going to sponsor an initiative that would have one player from each team wear the specially colored mouthpieces and serve as ambassadors of the campaign on social media.

According to reports, Procter & Gamble will still make the monetary donations to cancer charities they were planning to make as part of the initiative.

The NFL has come under fire for its perceived leniency toward Rice and others involved in domestic violence. Since the video of Rice knocking out his then-fiance in February became public last week, Commissioner Roger Goodell has been scrambling to strengthen the league’s stance against such crimes.

On Friday, Goodell sent out a memo pledging to use the NFL’s resources to help support two of the country’s leading services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Earlier this week he appointed four women to guide the league’s domestic violence policy.

Also this week, major NFL sponsor Anheuser-Busch issued a statement expressing its concern and disappointment over recent issues within the league.

Twitter: @chewkiii