The 10 Dumbest Rule Changes in NFL History
R.I.P. touchdown celebrations.
Image via Complex Original
Over the years, the NFL has gone out of its way to change the fundamental rules of the game in order to make it safer for its players. Or so they claim. Most of these changes have come as a result of the league's increasing fear about becoming liable for concussion-related injuries as more and more becomes known about the consequences of football's violent nature. Beyond that, though, sometimes it just seems like nobody in the NFL wants us to enjoy the game anymore. Like, banning touchdown celebrations? Are they serious?
Whether it has to do with the softening of the sport, or sucking the enjoyment out of it; the fact remains that there have been some pretty bad decisions made by league officials in recent years. So we decided to list the 10 Dumbest Rules Changes in NFL History just so you guys can see what we mean. Are we ever going to be able to get some fun back in football again?
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Moving Kick-Offs to the 35-Yard Line
Year instituted: 2011
When we talk about the NFL stripping away some of its most enjoyable elements, we talk about the league's shift away from kick returns. In 2011, when they decided to move kick-offs up to the 35-yard line, touchback percentages jumped from 16.4 percent all the way up to 43.5 percent, meaning that nearly half of all kick-offs went unreturned. These numbers haven't changed in years since. What this means is that certain special teams players are faced with less of a chance to make an NFL roster, and the possibility of an exciting kick return for a TD is diminished. Does that sound like a good time to anyone? We didn't think so.
Flagrant Hits Are More Likely to Earn a Suspension
Year instituted: 2011
Life ain't easy in the NFL for a defensive player, and it continued to only get tougher in 2011 when the NFL put stricter punishments on defenders delivering flagrant hits during a game. Now, such an offense is likely to earn a player a suspension as opposed to just a mere fine. So what are defenders supposed to do? Violent collisions have been ingrained in the fabric of football for decades, and penalizing a player even further for doing something that's a clear byproduct of the game is completely excessive. This is football. A player is supposed to tackle. Sometimes, the tackling gets rough. There's no changing these facts.
The Rooney Rule
Year instituted: 2003
This might seem like a strange rule to add to the list, but stay with us here. At its heart, the Rooney Rule is well-intentioned but, unfortunately, its been terribly executed since its inception in 2003. Designed to stimulate the number of minority coaching and front office hires in the league, the Rooney Rule has become just an oft-ignored formality in the hiring process for many teams.
The rule requires that at least one minority coaching or general managing candidate be interviewed by a franchise in their search for a replacement. But too often the teams will already have a different candidate in mind, making the entire process somewhat futile for prospective, minority hires. In order for this rule to truly work, serious changes need to be made so that organizations will start taking its mission seriously.
Tinted Visors Are Banned
Year instituted: 1998
Certain players are still allowed to wear tinted or mirrored visors if a medical condition demands it, but in 1998 the NFL did away with one of its coolest looks. Sure, there are issues with a visor if it gets too dark, but its undeniable that the gear gives players an extra sense of presence when they're on the field. Even someone as mild-mannered as Ricky Williams was able to look imposing with the help of a mirrored visor. It's like getting stared down by Darth Vader when you look at a dude wearing one of these things.
The Custom Facemask Rule
Year Instituted: 2013
Few things can be more intimidating on a football uniform than a well-designed facemask. Take Ray Lewis' old one, for example, or the cage that Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo sported before the ban. Defensive players are already pretty imposing dudes, but when their helmets are decked out to make them look like Bane, Hannibal Lecter, or a muzzled dog, we all know that they get a whole lot scarier. So, of course, the NFL had to do away with this, saying this offseason that, unless the custom facemask is being used to help out a specific medical condition, a player can't wear one. Whatever happened to a guy just looking badass for the sake of being badass. Get a life, commish!
A Defender Cannot Hit the Quarterback Below the Knee
Year instituted: 2006
The degree to which the NFL has gone to make the game easier on quarterbacks borders on sickening. At some point, the league just needs to accept that bruises and injuries on their passing superstars are inevitable. Cheapening the game in order to protect them, though, doesn't need to be. By penalizing defenders for hitting a quarterback below the knee, the league prevents the defense from making plays while on the ground, and only furthers the evolution of the passing game by giving QBs more time to make throws. Killa Cam said it best.
All Scoring Plays Are Now Reviewable
Year instituted: 2011
It's certainly not a bad thing that all scoring plays are now automatically reviewed by instant replay, but the problem is that the rule doesn't extend far enough. Non-scoring plays in the endzone still aren't automatically looked at, and when the game is inside of two minutes to play, and a coach isn't allowed to make a challenge on his own, this can make things dicey. If a play's in question in the end zone, it shouldn't just be up to the referee's discretion to review it. They need to do so, immediately. Putting more and more decisions in the hands of the men in stripes complicates matters and, even worse, could potentially swing the outcome of a game.
The Crown-of-Helmet Rule
Year instituted: 2013
This offseason, the league's decision to penalize running backs who use the top of their head to fend off would-be tacklers drew criticism from players both past and present. Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson was quoted as saying:
"I think it's a bad rule. Mostly because it's a natural reaction. You'll never be able to police it. Running backs have to be able to protect themselves and doing that is protecting yourself. The league is trying to take the violence out of the NFL. That will never happen. What's next, take the stiff arm away?
Perhaps running backs now know how defensive players have felt for years. Dickerson isn't the only one to express his frustration with the rule, either. Numerous players took to Twitter to vent about the decision, with the common complaint being that Goodell is lessening the toughness of the sport.
The Illegal Contact Penalty
Year instituted: 2004
Though the Illegal Contact penalty was officially added to the game in the 1970s, it wasn't until the mid-2000s that the league decided to make its enforcement a priority. This decision was largely influenced by the physical style of play used by the then-champion New England Patriots. During their games against the Indianapolis Colts in the years leading up to the change, New England's players would frequently jam up Colts wide receivers with their hands to prevent quarterback Peyton Manning from ever getting into a rhythm. He was so off, in fact, that during the 2004 AFC Championship game, New England cornerback Ty Law picked off Manning three times.
Once again, though, the league opted to help out the offense instead of the defense when they made the rule change. At this point, these guys might as well just be playing flag football.
Touchdown Celebrations Are Banned
Year Instituted: 2013
Penalties on touchdown celebrations had been getting more and more harsh throughout the past decade before the NFL decided to essentially ban them from the game altogether this year. If you're wondering why people call pro football the "No Fun League," then this should give you a pretty good idea. Yes, you can make the argument that the antics of players like Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens had been getting a bit out of hand but, at the same time, why not have something that adds a bit of flavor to the game? Is that really so wrong? If the league wants to crack down on the players who go crazy about getting a first down, then they should go for it. But a touchdown? What else is a player supposed to celebrate in football, if not putting up points for his team?