The NFL banned the hip-drop tackle by a unanimous vote of team owners on Monday in a controversial decision the league argued would improve player safety.
The rule change immediately sparked emotional responses from players past and present.
Opponents of the decision argue that the rule fundamentally changes the way the game is played, and further bends the rules in favor of offenses as the league protects its most marketable players.
The NFLPA rejected the proposal in a statement ahead of the vote last week, arguing that the change would “cause confusion for players, coaches, officials and especially fans.”
Jeff Miller, executive vice president of the NFL's competition committee, argued in favor of a ban in October, declaring that hip drop tackles “cause about 25 times the injury of a typical tackle.” That argument ultimately won out as owners officially voted to ban the technique at league meetings in Orlando on Monday.
JJ Watt leads the critical player response
Players weighed in after Monday's vote, and many of them joined the NFLPA's critical stance. Among them is retired three-time defensive tackle JJ Watt. He compared the ban to flag football on social media.
Kenyan Drake – wounded in '21 – is among the regime's supporters
Although player response was heavily critical of the decision, it was not unanimous. A pair of offensive players, including running back Kenyan Drake, were among Rule's proponents. Drake suffered a broken ankle on a tackle in 2021 The rules of handling need to be changed After. He came out in favor of the rule change on Monday.
I don't care about people's opinion. This type of tackle cost me my right ankle and a quarter of the '21 season. Something had to give and I'm glad it's no one's feet/ankles anymore https://t.co/FkXqdW6fKm
– Kenyan Drake™ (@KDx32) March 25, 2024
Retired Pro Bowl tackle Kyle Long also supported the change and said the league's effort would “reduce the potential for serious injury.”
Glad the hip drop tackle is out of the game. I'm all for the league trying to minimize the possibility of serious injury. There is a 100 percent injury rate in this league, but hip replacements can cause injuries that are difficult to come back from. Good job NFL
— Kyle (@Ky1eLong) March 25, 2024
Former New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman took a two-pronged approach.
It has two sides. I'm all for player safety and hip drop tackles are dangerous, but on the other hand, if we eliminate every method of tackling, how would a defensive player cope? #HealthyDiscussion https://t.co/38ZTOsxQar
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) March 25, 2024
But the majority of players' responses on social media were not in favor of the change, with more vocal opponents, including former and current high-profile defenders.
I want them to force the entire competitive team to create examples of how they expect a defender to tackle the ball carrier. I wish they would implement it at full speed and make a video for the players. At some point during the making of that video, how would they feel…
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 20, 2024
The competition team doesn't care about security. They make it harder for us to win every year 🤦🏾♂️
— Joshua Metellus (@NoExcuses_23) March 25, 2024
Why can attackers still cut you? I'm sure many people will get hurt even more than that, but it's still in the game.
— Joshua Metellus (@NoExcuses_23) March 25, 2024
As a man: mostly indifferent
As a business person:
NFL protects merchandise. A national audience tunes in to watch the crime. Also protect attacking players/weaken attacking attempts (win-win)As Hitman: Disliked, high defensive penalty, actual gameplay weakened https://t.co/NL65TPWlFU
— Harrison Smith (@harrismith22) March 25, 2024
Didn't like the hip drop rule. We will complain fairly. But we will return to the chow line, and they know that.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) March 25, 2024
NFL players know that career-ending injuries are the risk we take on the field. We trade our health for $$, so I don't see it from the injury side because we knowingly make that trade. We get as much money as we can while playing so when injuries happen we have $$… https://t.co/otVtBfcq0i
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) March 25, 2024
This rule still leads to a lot of penalties and missed tackles. Both of these make it easier for offenses to score.
— TK (@DevonKennard) March 25, 2024
You're going to see a lot of ball carriers wearing DBs like backpacks without the “hip drop” tackle.
— Quincy Enunwa (@QuincyEnunwa) March 25, 2024
Like it or not, the new rule cannot be changed now. At least not for the upcoming season. If implemented as planned, the rule is meant to reduce the risk of injury in violent sports. It also plans to change the way sports are played and watched on Sundays.
Get ready for the most hotly debated penalty flags as the league, its players and officials adapt to a sea change.
