Norton Asks Goodell to Ensure NFL Vendors Can Recognize D.C. Licenses After Fan Denied Alcohol at MetLife Stadium

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday asking him to take action to ensure that vendors at NFL games can recognize District of Columbia driver’s licenses. A vendor at MetLife Stadium at a September game between the New York Giants and the Washington football team did not recognize a D.C. resident’s driver’s license, the new version of which lists “District of Columbia” rather than “Washington, D.C.,” and refused to sell alcohol to the resident.

In her letter, Norton wrote, “I have been informed that a vendor refused to sell this D.C. resident alcohol at the Washington football team’s game against the New York Giants at MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey because the vendor did not recognize the newest version of the D.C. driver’s license. This is unacceptable, as you can imagine, and embarrassing. I request that the NFL take action to ensure that all alcohol vendors can recognize D.C. licenses.”

Norton’s letter follows similar requests she successfully made to the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) after D.C. residents reported having their licenses refused by Transportation Safety Officers (TSOs) at U.S. airports. TSA responded by instituting frequent briefings so that TSOs recognize the ID. The District recently updated its driver’s licenses to comply with federal REAL ID rules.

Norton’s full letter is below.

Roger Goodell
Commissioner
National Football League
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154

Dear Commissioner Goodell:

I am writing regarding an incident involving a District of Columbia resident at a National Football League (NFL) game in New Jersey in September. I have been informed that a vendor refused to sell this D.C. resident alcohol at the Washington football team’s game against the New York Giants at MetLife stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey because the vendor did not recognize the newest version of the D.C. driver’s license. This is unacceptable, as you can imagine, and embarrassing. I request that the NFL take action to ensure that all alcohol vendors can recognize D.C. licenses.

Since the District updated its driver’s licenses to comply with federal REAL ID rules, residents have reported to my office other contexts in which their license has been denied. The District received press attention when Transportation Safety Officers (TSOs) at U.S. airports failed to recognize the licenses, but since bringing this issue to the attention of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), TSA has instituted frequent briefings so that TSOs recognize the ID. Since then, reported issues at airports have decreased. We request and appreciate similar action from the NFL.

D.C. residents live in the nation’s capital and have all the obligations of American citizenship, including paying their full weight of federal taxes and serving in the armed forces. I ask that the NFL take action that will ensure my constituents are welcome at NFL games like other Americans.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton