NFL Adopts Stricter Helmet-to-Helmet Policy

The NFL imposed huge fines Tuesday on three players for dangerous and flagrant hits last weekend and warned that, starting with this week?s games, violent conduct will be cause for suspension.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was docked $75,000 on Tuesday, while New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson will lose $50,000 each.

In the past, players were either fined or ejected for illegal hits. However, after the series of recent flagrant tackles, several of which resulted in concussions, the NFL ramped up the punishment.

At the local high school level, helmet-to-helmet hits are illegal and discouraged. La Quinta football’s head coach Dan Armstrong agrees with the NFL. “There’s a fine line between trying to deliver a blow and make a tackle and disable somebody,” said Armstrong. “Some of these guys, obviously with helmets getting better and the construction of the helmet being better, they’re starting to use it as a weapon. When it’s going to end someone’s career, I agree that something needs to be done, there’s no need for some of those hits.”

The safety of players is the focus of the high school rule. However, just like the pros, there’s controversy about the physicality of the game. “Football is a contact sport,” said Xavier Prep football coach Darrell Lewis. “It’s very difficult on the defenders to control at top speed, running into a collision with a person and being able to slide that head to the side or stay down on a lower plane.”

The bottom line is that football can be a dangerous sport and players run the risk of injury. Coach Lewis shared his fear of player injury, “It’s extremely scary as a football coach, the risk that could possibly happen to one of your players and if it did, it’s one of those things that could make you question whether you continue to coach the sport.”