INDIANAPOLIS (AP) NFL owners have approved rules amendments for player safety that include eliminating a player launching himself into a defenseless opponent.
The 32 owners have voted unanimously to enhance the protection of defenseless players. Anyone who leaves both feet before contact to spring forward and upward into an opponent and delivers a blow to the helmet with any part of his helmet will draw a 15-yard penalty.
Such tackles also will be subject to fines.
The definition of a defenseless receiver has been extended. Now, a receiver who has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner even if both feet are on the ground is considered defenseless.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
