New NFL rules designed to limit head injuries (1 Viewer)

[LittlePhatty]

Link - New NFL rules designed to limit head injuries

Quote:

Also new this season, when a player loses his helmet, the play is immediately whistled dead.

So, if an RB has broken off a long run and is outpacing everyone chasing him, but back at the line of scrimmage a DL just lost his helmet, then the play is immediately dead, stopping a potential TD? This seems like it could be abused.

 

[jdawg]

so stupid

 

[DawnBTVS]

It's perfectly fine and wanna know why it won't be abused (at least by the idea of why won't Player X just take his helmet off)? It's a PENALTY to remove the helmet off your own person.

From the 2009 NFL Rulebook linked...

Section 3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct Article 1 There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Such acts specifically include, among others:

Removal of Helmet

(h) Removal by a player of his helmet during or after a play. (Exceptions: The player is not in the game or he is in or has returned to his bench area; or, the player is in the game and a timeout has been called for reasons of injury, television break, charged team time out, or it is between periods.

As for the RB scoring a TD while the DL guy loses his helmet way back at the LOS, I don't believe that would happen more than a couple handful of times during the course of a season. Most players are already moving downfield AFTER the running back and not really engaging in "hands to the face" type penalties.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

has there ever been an injury related to someone losing their helmet on the field?

 

[cr8f]

Video sent to teams(supposedly) on rule changes

 

[BespokeJort]

pretty sure I've seen helmets get knocked off on big hits on crackback blocks, which would then ruin the play as 'punishment' for making a good block

 

[Doug Drinen]

has there ever been an injury related to someone losing their helmet on the field?

That's what I was wondering. I don't think former players are getting Alzheimer's at 45 because of that one play where their helmet came off.

 

[RenegadeGM]

According to the video, the rule only applies to the player with the ball. The play will not be whistled dead if a lineman 30 yards behind the play loses a helmet.

 

[kutta]

Link - New NFL rules designed to limit head injuries

Quote:

Also new this season, when a player loses his helmet, the play is immediately whistled dead.

So, if an RB has broken off a long run and is outpacing everyone chasing him, but back at the line of scrimmage a DL just lost his helmet, then the play is immediately dead, stopping a potential TD? This seems like it could be abused.

According to the video posted above, play is only stopped if the ball carrier's helmet comes off. If other helmets come off, the play continues.

 

[kutta]

Link - New NFL rules designed to limit head injuries

Quote:

Also new this season, when a player loses his helmet, the play is immediately whistled dead.

So, if an RB has broken off a long run and is outpacing everyone chasing him, but back at the line of scrimmage a DL just lost his helmet, then the play is immediately dead, stopping a potential TD? This seems like it could be abused.

According to the video posted above, play is only stopped if the ball carrier's helmet comes off. If other helmets come off, the play continues.

Renegade beat me to it...

 

[LittlePhatty]

According to the video posted above, play is only stopped if the ball carrier's helmet comes off.

Important clarification. It makes sense now and I don't see it as a problem.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

has there ever been an injury related to someone losing their helmet on the field?

This was my thought as well. Seems like head injuries in the NFL all happen to players with their helmets on. Literally, I can't remember a single case where a guy lost his helmet during a play and then ended up hurting his head later in the play.

 

[Ilov80s]

According to the video posted above, play is only stopped if the ball carrier's helmet comes off.

Important clarification. It makes sense now and I don't see it as a problem.

Agreed. It is a totally understandable new rule. It is pretty rare the ballcarrier's helmet comes off while he is still on his feet anyway.

 

[GregR_2]

College has had this rule for awhile, I believe.

 

[Das Boot]

has there ever been an injury related to someone losing their helmet on the field?

That's what I was wondering. I don't think former players are getting Alzheimer's at 45 because of that one play where their helmet came off.

I'd guess it's to prevent the extremely small but not zero chance for a catastrophic injury to the ball carrier should he lose his helmet.Such a situation is no-win if it happens... the ball carrier can't stop ==> macho code, adrenaline, etc...the defenders can't stop trying to tackle him...the only solution is to rule a play like that dead when the helmet comes off to protect the carrier.

 

[GregR_2]

has there ever been an injury related to someone losing their helmet on the field?

Watching the Jets-Giants game and Eli getting bloodied up when his helmet came off, and immediately thought of this post.