NFL's new helmet rule already causing controversy in HOF game
The NFL is implementing a new helmet rule for the 2018 season. And based on the Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and the Baltimore Ravens, the league still has significant kinks to work out.
Under the new rule, it's a penalty if a player lowers his head to initiate and make contact with the helmet of an opponent.
Several such penalties were called during the first preseason game of the 2018 season, even though the hits didn't appear to be intentional helmet-to-helmet collisions.
Playing safety is effectively illegal in today's NFL. Penalty. pic.twitter.com/YmotYfLyzT
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) August 3, 2018
Related: Eagles players left confused after meeting with refs on new helmet rule
The NFL recently released a fact sheet and an educational video to further clarify the new rule.
Aaaaand again pic.twitter.com/m3RMA5d9kA
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) August 3, 2018
Ex-NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz attempted to ease concerns on social media and calm those who were already predicting a regular season filled with flags.
Real quick on the helmet rule. They are going to over call it during the preseason. When they changed the hands to the face rule a few years ago, they threw 5+ flags a preseason game on the OL. They realized it was called too often and stopped the frequency during regular season
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 3, 2018
While Schwartz is likely right, the last thing the league needs is more confusion regarding its rulebook - especially after finally trying to fix the much-maligned catch rule this offseason.