2012′s most contentious new rule is the “Helmet Rule”–athletes who lose their helmet must come off the field for the next play. But what the NCAA didn’t anticipate is defenses unscrupulously taking advantage of this rule in the bottom of the pile. A defensive end is at the bottom of a pile of players right next to the opposing quarterback…He reaches over and rips the helmet off. And just like that, the backup has to come in. Talk about a drive killer!
Evidently Mizzou’s QB James Franklin lost his helmet to a defender in a pile multiple times during Saturday’s game against Georgia, and Missouri isn’t happy about it.
According to Yahoo:
[Missouri head coach] Pinkel said during Wednesday’s SEC teleconference that Missouri’s helmets needed to have better straps, but it’s clear that defenders — not just those who are playing against Missouri, but across the country — are trying to use the NCAA’s new helmet rule to their advantage.
It is simply unacceptable for college football to be distracted by petty abuses of a rule that is designed for safety. Defensive coaches should discipline players who rip a helmet off. But they won’t. Now we are stuck in an impossible situation akin to soccer flops or “basketball falls”–silly but unavoidable.
Football is a sport that played at high speed, and safety is important. But isn’t it more dangerous to have your helmet rudely ripped off in the bottom of a pile with cleats and knees flying everywhere? Someone is going to get hurt.
Photo Credit: Yahoo
