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Early NFL Helmets
Starting in the 1950s, NFL teams used helmets like this to help protect their players. There were many prior helmets, but these were the first one's with at least some form of a facemask. -
NFL Expands Rules To Protect Defenseless Players
The NFL made expansions to their rules by protecting defenseless players. Following this rule change, defensive players were no longer allowed to hit using the top of their helmet, lower their heads to make forcible contact, or forcibly make contact with runner in the head or neck area. The man in the photograph is Jack Tatum, who was nicknamed "The Assassin" for his big hitting ability. Jack even had a hit that ended up paralyzing another NFL player, which could be a reason for the rule change. -
Helmet By The 1990s
There were many advancements to the helmets between 1950 and 1990, but this is the best look at the helmets worn throughout the 1990s. You can notice the addition of padding, and the increase in size of the facemask. The helmet technology continued to advance throughout history, but at the time, this was viewed as a safe and comfortable helmet for the players to wear. -
NFL Horse-Collar Tackle Ban
In 2005, the NFL banned the "horse-collar" tackle, which is when the defender grabs the back collar or shoulder pads of a player in order to bring them down. This form of tackling was banned due to the risk of injury from the awkward positioning the opponent is put in. In the photograph, a player can be seen making the "horse-collar" tackle, which usually results in a 15-yard penalty. However, this call was actually missed in the game, but after the game the player was fined for this tackle. -
NFL Concussion Protocol Extension
As for players who had a concussion, and are looking to return to play as soon as possible, the NFL has a five step process that every player must go through before they can return. These steps can be read in the NFL's "Return-To-Participation Protocol" (NFL). -
NFL Concussion Protocol Creation
In 2011, the NFL created the concussion protocol to help protect players. This protocol includes players who withstand a serious hit, especially helmet to helmet, must be taken out of the game for concussion testing. These players will go through a number of tests, and neurological questioning before they can go back in the game. If the player passes the testing, they will be able to go back in the game. However, if they do not pass the testing, they will be ruled out for the rest of the game. -
NFL Bans All Chop Blocks
A chop block, is a block by the offense "in which one offensive player blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player engages that same defensive player above the waist" (NFL Football Operations). In 2016, all of these blocks were made illegal. Due to the fact that these low blows to the defender, puts them at risk for injury to both their ACL and MCL. These injuries are very serious, and are usually season ending. -
NFL Chop Block Extended
The player in the photo, Uchenna Nwosu, a top edge rusher for the Seattle Seahawks, was injured in pre-season this year, due to one of the illegal chop blocks (Alexander). Nwosu suffered a sprained MCL, which would result in him missing time this season. Fortunately for Nwosu, he was able to avoid any serious season ending injury. However, he did miss the first four games of the season and made his return back to the field against the New York Giants (ESPN).