NFL Owners Approve Helmet Rule, Tuck Rule Eliminated
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Christian Petersen/Getty Images(PHOENIX) — The NFL owners concluded their winter meetings on Wednesday. Three changes to the rules are now in place.
The tuck rule has been eliminated, so any player that uses the crown of their helmet and is outside of the tackle box or at least 3 yards downfield will be penalized.
NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay said the change to the crown of the helmet rule applies to a runner or a tackler.
“It applies when that runner or tackler ducks their head delivers a forcible blow with the top crown of their helmet,” McKay explained.
Both the New England Patriots and Washington Redskins abstained from the tuck rule. The Pittsburgh Steelers were the only dissenting vote.
The tuck rule came into play during the 2001 playoffs, which involved Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the Oakland Raiders, which favored New England.
“It was a great session and I think we had a good opportunity over the last few days to get everybody on the same page on what are our priorities,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
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