Like train in vain as the hidden caboose on london calling, the nfl deftly slipped the new helmet rule into the list of proposed 2018 rule changes, item no. The quarterback hit that forced the nfl to consider safety. The nfl competition committee receives and considers input from coaches, general managers, owners, current players and nfl legends, the nfl players association, medical personnel and the media, and conducts hours of discussion and film study before recommending changes to any rule. Welcome to the extra point, where members of the nfls football data and analytics team will share updates on leaguewide trends in football data, interesting visualizations that showcase innovative ways to use the leagues data, and provide an inside look at how the nfl uses datadriven insight to improve and monitor player and team. In march 2018, nfl owners voted to approve article 8 of. Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art. Flagging the officials for rules that need some work. A dejected bryant pleaded with the nfl after the game to change the rule for next season. The infracting player is also subject to disqualification. Targeting isnt a part of the nfl rulebook yet, but it could be soon.
By greg johnson a new football rule going into effect this season requires players who target and contact defenseless opponents. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. See all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Last month, trump urged owners of nfl teams to fire any player that protested during the national anthem, a message trump searched the nfl rule book to. Initiating contact with the crown of the helmet it is a foul if a runner or tackler. The spearing rule focuses on the top of the head as the initial point of contact, but given the dynamics of football, a player could be going in for a nice clean, heads up, textbookpage27 tackle, but if the target at the last second changes his direction, the tackler is going to. Spearing is defined as a which represents a 707o reduction 7.
All the stats you need for every nfl matchup click here. Spearing is illegal, but the nfl does not consider this play spearing. If a team forfeits a game, the opponent will be declared the winner by a score of 20, but the points will. Plano, texas nfl senior vice president of officiating al riveron, speaking to a group of media assembled at the nfl officiating clinic in dallas last month, said the leagues new use of helmet. Howie long is a former oaklandlos angeles raiders defensive end with eight pro bowl appearances, a super bowl victory, and a spot in the pro football hall of fame. Its rule 12, section 2, article 8 in the 2018 nfl rulebook, or rule 1228. With each additional adjustment to the rulebook, however. The nfl distributed this fact sheet on its new helmet rule on august 1, 2018. Spearing has been a rule for as long as ive been alive and should be in the book because it can lead to death if done even the. The nfls new rule is stronger than the ncaas targeting rule, which penalizes players for targeting the head or neck of defenseless opponents. In gridiron football, spearing is a tackling technique in which a player makes initial contact with.
Each effort to inject more clarity into the new helmet rule invites more potential. Official rules of the nfl paperback october 1, 2009 by nfl author 3. Recognition of such injuries resulted in rule changes in 1976, banning such tackles for high school and college. Ezekiel elliott became the first offensive player to be flagged for violating the leagues new helmet rule when the cowboys running back lowered his head at the end of a 12yard catch and run. Here is a summary of the changes to the cfl rule book. A large number of serious spinal and head traumas, coupled with a lack of penaltycalling by referees, has resulted in tougher restrictions concerning the use of helmets in ncaa games.
The spearing regulations were revised to help prevent head and neck injuries. The nfls officials inexplicably allowed the broncos to. Think the nfl rules about hitting quarterbacks are dumb. The article cites the rule quoted above and reports no such wording appears in the 2017 version of the official playing rules of the national football league. A new rule aimed at player safety is causing plenty of confusion and controversy already. According to nfl rules, the players who staged antinational anthem protests violated the nfls operation manual, as they are actually required to be on the field and respect the flag. Why nfls new running back rule is heading in the wrong. Goodell ignoring leagues own rules in letting players.
Heres the section in the nfl rulebook on unnecessary roughnessrule 12, section 2, article 8 unnecessary roughness. As approved by nfl clubs in march, it is a foul if a. The infraction will be a 15yard penalty and an automatic first down. What the nfl rule book says about the national anthem. Please note that nfl digital care representatives are unable to answer requests regarding specific rules or play calls, and have no contact with those involved in the rule changing process. There is no definition of a spearing penalty in the rule book.
Trump searched the nfl rule book to stop players taking a. The steelers handed out a nfldistributed 19page pamphlet to the media on tuesday entitled. Instead its illegal contact to lead with the crown of your helmet to. Associations such as the national football league nfl, the national collegiate athletic association, and the. Then you look at the nfl rule book and dont see the word incidental anywhere in the definition of what constitutes a penalty on a kick attempt. What is the new rule and why is it so controversial. Nfl publication 2018 regular english for the 2018 nfl rule book, click here.
The pamphlets distribution ironically came mere days after mike tomlin and art rooney ii met with nfl commissioner roger goodell concerning recent violations and accompanying fines handed. This is the rule number placement in to the 2018 rule book. Rule 17 emergencies, unfair acts section 1 emergencies nonplayer on field article 1 if any nonplayer, including photographers, reporters, employees, police or spectators, enters the field of play or end zones, and in the judgment of an official said party or parties interfere with the play, the. John czarnecki has reported on the nfl since 1979 and consulted for fox nfl sunday since it began in 1994.
The nfl rule book states in rule 8, section 1, article 3, item 1, a player is considered to be going to the ground if he does not remain upright long enough to demonstrate that he is clearly a. And the nfl rule book does define a defenseless player as a player in the act of or just after throwing a pass passing posture. How many times in nfl history has spearing been called on a reddit. Rule 17 emergencies, unfair acts national football league. Incidental helmet contact during conventional tackling or blocking. Interestingly, spearing is not defined in the rule book.
The massive nfl rule book has been lawyered into oblivion, with so many addendums, clauses, accepted rulings and interpretations involved that referees have an almostimpossible task. In gridiron football, a penalty is a sanction called against a team for a violation of the rules. Player safety is a hot topic after several week 6 helmettohelmet incidents. The spearing of chiefs quarterback len dawson by raiders defensive end ben davidson in 1970 laid the foundation for the 1976 rule change. During this process, the committee asks several questions about each potential rule change. National hockey league official rules 20092010 iii 20092010 nhl officiating team referees linesmen jersey no. And while the nfl would agree with mcdermott in that. Another change with a focus on risk minimization is a revision of the spearing rule one of several examples of illegal helmet contact listed in rule 220. Where the word illegal appears in this rule book, it is an institutional term of art pertaining strictly to actions that violate nfl playing rules. Associations such as the national football league nfl, the national collegiate athletic association, and the national federation of state high school associations nfshsa made it illegal to perform any kind of spearing or head down. The nfl may think it got rid of controversy by revamping the catch rule, but it may have opened up an entirely different can of worms by adding targeting to.
Rule 11 scoring section 1 value of scores winning team article 1 winning team. High school football rules changes continue focus on risk. Update on technology in coaching boothslocker rooms and secretaryrules editor. This rule is similar to the targeting rule in college. Spearing is now defined as an act by any player who initiates contact against an opponent at the shoulders or. Steratores decision fell under the good call, bad rule category. Bills coach says no room in football for patriots hit that knocked out josh allen. Unlike college football, the nfl doesnt have a targeting rule for now, at least but the unnecessary. Unsportsmanlike conduct, discussed previously in this section and detailed in rule 12, section 3 of the official playing rules of the national football league nfl rule book, is a foul under. Yet the nfls game operations manual the 200plus book the league refers to as its bible is different than its rulebook. New targeting rule penalizes nfl players for lowering.
Spearing football a penalty called when a defensive player makes a tackle that leads with the. The meme claims that page 6263 of the nfl rule book dictates that during the national anthem, players must stand, face the flag, hold their helmet in their left hand and refrain from talking. In 1970, ben davidson hit len dawson after the qb had given himself up. On january 11th, 2015, this rule came into question regarding a play made by dallas cowboys wr dez bryant in the divisional playoff game against the green bay packers. It is a foul if a player lowers his head to initiate and make. New helmet rule continues to loom over 2018 season. Included in rule 12, section 2 of the nfl rule book, and also of vital player safety importance, are the illegal chop block rules rule 12, section 2, article 16.