NFL owners vote on rule change, ban running backs from lowering their heads in tackles
With the new NFL rule change, running backs like the Chicago Bears’ Matt Forte will not be able to go into tackles with the crown of their head like this. (Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports)
BREAKING: NFL owners agree to rule change that bans offensive players from using the crown of their helmets against defenders in open field.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 20, 2013
The NFL owners have voted to make it illegal for running backs to lead with the crowns of their helmets when trying to plow through tackles. The move is being made, obviously, in an effort to curb the type of thunderous, helmet-to-helmet hits that has been found to lead to serious brain damage in retired players. However, the players’ feelings toward the new rule change is nearly unanimous: The owners are taking things a few steps too far in an effort to protect their investments. In the eyes of the players, the owners are making changes without keeping the integrity of the game in mind. Adam Schefter is a highly-respected NFL Insider, and he put it about as succinctly as possible:
So Matt Forte, and other RBs, are unhappy right about now.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2013
The game’s all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith, said that owners would be ‘out of their minds’ if they were to pass this rule.
Well, the NFL owners did. Unfortunately for the players who are against this change, it is the 32 guys plus commissioner Roger Goodell who cut their paychecks.
Thus, the owners and NFL front office get to make all of the rules.
Even if it puts the game even more into the hands of the referees. No one can be sure how this new rule is actually going to be called once the season starts.
However, we can be sure that once a ref does decide to make such a call, the player in question’s head is probably going to be fine.
It is going to be his mind that is blown.
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