defending the shield

Origin is from ESPN's Pardon the Interrupton

Wilbon makes fun of Kornheiser's "NFL, right or wrong" defense of league policy, no matter how absurd it may be.

1) to blindly defend a rule, decision, or product, soley based on the fact that you're in love with it

"Don't say anything about how shitty AT&T's cell phones are. Bob's a former employee, and he'll bore you to death, defending the shield"

"Someone brought up Mike Vick, then Pat jumped in, and started defending the shield. He must be Roger Goodell's cousin"