What is the NFL’s new helmet rule and why it has to be removed

By: Adamo Marinelli

August 23rd, 2018

    The NFL decided to change things up a little bit with a rule change that alters the way defensive players hit their opponents and vice-versa, and also alters the game in a sense that there is 15 yards awarded each time the penalty is called. That can very quickly change momentum in a football game, especially in a close game.

What is the rule:

    The new NFL helmet rule states that: “players can't lead, or initiate contact, with their helmets on tackles”. Players especially cannot lower their heads before making a tackle as the result of injuries are higher for both players when heads are down. Each time the penalty occurs, on both sides of the ball, the opposing team is awarded 15 yards. Not to mention, players can be ejected if they are charged with this penalty twice or just appear to be targeting a certain player. So the NFL wants players to tackle with your shoulders and keep your head up and neck straight.

    As of now, the penalty has already been called 51 times through three weeks of preseason, including the Hall of Fame Game leading coaches, players, and analysts to express confusion. In fact, most of these flags thrown, upon second inspection, misinterpret the new rule. So, essentially the new rule isn’t even doing its job. It’s only causing unnecessary drama throughout the NFL.

    Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara told Business Insider that: “the new rule could be problematic because it may force players to think or hesitate on the field”. Clearly, in a game that is all about inches, you do not want players hesitating on making a tackle. This new rule seems to create a steep learning curve for players and coaches that will create plenty of controversies this season.

    One of the many controversies so far, was a harmless looking sack from the Minnesota Vikings’ defence against Blake Bortles in week three of preseason (including the Hall of Fame Game which was the sole game in week one) was called roughing the passer which kept the drive alive for Jacksonville. The Jaguars ended up winning the game 14-10. The reason why the penalty was called is because the Vikings’ defender lowered his head before initiating contact. Before the new rule, that would have been a clean sack, but with the addition of the controversial rule, the head hit was ruled a penalty and it changed the game’s momentum and gave the Jaguars the win. Also, this has not been the only example of this new and ridiculous rule affecting the outcome of games. There have been many more instances so far this preseason.

Why the new rule must be abolished:

    Many players say this rule should not be allowed to stay because it takes the ‘football’ out of football. Even if you lead a tackle with your shoulders, which is what the NFL wants players to do, your head still goes down following your shoulders; as both body parts are connected by your neck. It’s just how human biology works. So, instead of eliminating the real football and forcing the players to lead tackles with their shoulders and to strike low with the new rule, just educate the players on safe tackling. Safe tackling is leading with your head, however, not the crown of your head, instead, your head is up, your neck is straight, you are looking in front of you and tackling with your facemask. In other words, grab your opponent by the shoulders and tackle him to the ground with your facemask facing his, so your head up. If you led with the crown of your head, you can get paralysed. Josh Norman said: “Now [the new rule will make it] easier for refs to throw another flag for something a player, in that split second, didn't intend to do.”

    That is not only an easier way to get the message of safe tackling into players heads but it is also a better way to enforce safe tackling than with a new rule that just adds confusion and unnecessary, game-changing penalties that confuse both the players, the coaches and sometimes even the referees. I’m not saying I want the NFL players to get injured because I don’t. I want the NFL players to stay safe. I just think it’s better to educate players on safe tackling rather than making a new rule that prevents tackles leading with the head, which is the most common and effective form of tackling because tackles to the knees can result in more serious injuries than tackles to the head as there is more protection on your head than on your knees. But, injuries to both places can be very serious and career ending. After all, football cannot exist without at least some violence, in particular leading a tackle with your facemask as that’s the most effective way to tackle for defenders.

    The NFL overall has gone down in passing yards and points in the past two seasons and I suppose adding this penalty to make it harder on the defence to make tackles and stops will increase the overall number of passing yards and points, but I don’t think a penalty is the right way to do this. Offences just need new plays in their playbooks to generate points, not help from a penalty that makes a defender’s life harder. After all, defence wins championships. This is another reason why this rule should be abolished.

    San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman also continued his criticism of the new rule, telling USA Today Sports that: “It's going to be a disaster." Sherman added: “It's ridiculous, they'll see how ridiculous it is, once they make the refs call it. It's going to be worse than holding, worse than the catch rule. On a good form tackle, guys will lead with their shoulder pads, but you bring your head.”

Conclusion:

    The new helmet rule is not going to help the NFL advance in terms of player safety. It will only hinder that advancement. There is no fixing or altering it. It’s simple. The NFL must get rid of the new helmet rule. It’s only confused players, coaches and referees in the preseason and it will continue to do the same in the regular season. The NFL’s ratings have been down the last two seasons, and with this rule, the lackluster reviews will only continue for another season at least. At the end of the day, whether this rule stays or goes is not my decision, but in my honest opinion, I think it should be removed, and removed fast. Before the 2018 regular season would be great. The rule won’t completely ruin the NFL, but it still has to go.