Matt Forte Lowers His Head Against Proposed Rule Change
Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Owners are set to meet in Arizona this week. Maybe they want to scout some late spring training? At any rate, they always trickle out a few new rule changes that they plan to try to adopt in advance of the meeting. One of the more controversial rules that’s been leaked out is a new rule barring ball carriers from lower their heads outside the tackle box.
"In another sign that the days of punishing, physical running backs like Jim Brown and John Riggins are coming to an end, the NFL is considering a rules change that would penalize runners for lowering their heads and initiating contact with tacklers.Members of the NFL’s Competition Committee revealed today that they want to see a new rule that would make it a personal foul for either a runner or a tackler to engage in head-first contact with the crown of the helmet when running into each other outside the tackle box."
It seems like a silly rule and kind of takes away from the very spirit of football itself. One Chicago Bear took particular exception to this proposal and wasn’t bashful about expressing his point of view as Matt Forte took to the Twitterverse in his own protest:
The proposed rule change for running backs might be the most absurd suggestion of a rule change I've ever heard of.
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 17, 2013
In order to lower ur shoulder u obviously have to lower ur head. It's a way of protecting ur self from a tackler and a way to break tackles
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 17, 2013
U can't change the instinctive nature of running the football.
— Matt Forte (@MattForte22) March 17, 2013
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher offers some clarification of the rule:
"“The ballcarrier is still going to be permitted to lower his shoulder, and the head is also going to come down to protect the football,” Fisher said. “We’re not taking that part of the run out of the game. What we’re saying is, in space, one-on-one, head-up, we’re not going to allow you to load up and use the crown of your helmet. It’s an obvious thing.”"
It sounds too grey to me to be enforced properly and continues to inch this game further from the football that we all love.
Forte makes it clear how he feels about this proposal, but what do you think? Let your opinion be heard!