NFL Releases Video of New “Use of Helmet” Rule
Earlier today, the NFL Football Operations twitter account, (@NFLFootballOps) released a video showing examples of plays that will now be a penalty and what will cause and ejection.
The new @NFL Use of Helmet rule explained with video examples. Watch: pic.twitter.com/r2qPWEqMeN
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) June 2, 2018
I understand the “need” for this new penalty, the NFL will likely be making new rules to ensure player safety for years to come.
With that being said, I’m not sure this “use of helmet” rule will go over well. In the posted video, the NFL shows only plays where the defender would be penalized. What about offensive players? Tom Brady lowers his head to initiate contact on his one yard sneaks and Marshawn Lynch made his mark running defenders over.
Regarding the ejection ruling, it essentially comes down to if the player could avoid using the helmet when making contact. The NFL said back during the owners’ meetings that only 4 out of 40,000 plays last season would have resulted in ejection.
Ultimately, I am not a fan of this new rule. Yes, I know I’m only a fan, but this is just another judgement call rule that will slow the game down and give the NFL a little more leeway for having inadequate referees. Plus this sounds like it will be the beginning of the end for the power running back in the NFL, and this call will make defenders’ jobs even more difficult. They cannot dive at the legs cause that could cause a torn ACL and if the runner lowers his head to brace for the hit, the defender gets a 15 yard penalty for trying to do their job.
Scientists, Doctors, and the NFL can do all the research and rule changing they want, but concussions will still happen in football. Football is a dangerous sport full of players hitting each other with the same amount of force displayed in car accidents.
Luckily we now know how dangerous football can b, it’s just up to players whether or not they want to risk the injuries and possible CTE for the paycheck.
