Did the NFL Get Rid of the Removing Helmet Rule?

did it too and it wasn't called and the commentators noted it in that game as well.

Haven't seen anyone do that and not draw a flag in a long, long time.

actually said ne did not remove his helmet. He took credit for the TD however.

In comment 14980065 Bubba said:

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actually said ne did not remove his helmet. He took credit for the TD however.

So his helmet just came off his head somehow?

and this was big b/c it would have pushed KC back and impacted their 2 point try and maybe forced them to go for 1.

You judge for yourself:
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It makes no sense to try to make sense of it. They randomly enforce and fail to enforce rules from week to week. Because it happened so many times yesterday means it is another rule on the book the refs just choose to interpret differently.

so guys were not removing helmets in the middle of a fight or trying to use it as a weapon. That was not the case in any of those instances. Pettyfogging application of the rules is just as bad as no application of the rules.

The only time a flag should be thrown is if a player is mixing it up and takes their hat off. You want to talk about idiotic rules in sports, a guy scores, is walking to the sideline, takes off his helmet. That’s a penalty? Get outa here.

OBJ got flagged for taking his helmet off after he scored against the Ravens in '16. I remember it because he just scored, and was running down the sidelines back to the bench and they threw the flag. Hill's was much worse honestly.
Highlight from that game - ( New Window )

In comment 14980073 pjcas18 said:

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and this was big b/c it would have pushed KC back and impacted their 2 point try and maybe forced them to go for 1. You judge for yourself: link - ( New Window )

The penalty would be assessed on the kickoff.

I remember because OBJ got flagged for it after his long fourth down TD reception vs the Ravens in 2016, and Harbaugh ran down the sidelines to argue that the penalty should be assessed on the extra point.

OBJ was out of the back of the end zone when he took his helmet off and was still called for it.

For those saying the penalty "shouldn't" be called in those situations, sure, you can argue that, but the point is the lack of consistency when there has been no rule change.

In comment 14980282 shyster said:

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In comment 14980073 pjcas18 said: Quote: and this was big b/c it would have pushed KC back and impacted their 2 point try and maybe forced them to go for 1. You judge for yourself: link - ( New Window ) The penalty would be assessed on the kickoff. I remember because OBJ got flagged for it after his long fourth down TD reception vs the Ravens in 2016, and Harbaugh ran down the sidelines to argue that the penalty should be assessed on the extra point. OBJ was out of the back of the end zone when he took his helmet off and was still called for it. For those saying the penalty "shouldn't" be called in those situations, sure, you can argue that, but the point is the lack of consistency when there has been no rule change.

It's up to the Chargers if it's assessed on the kick-off or the point after attempt.

Why would they opt to have it on the KO when they were up 2? Why wouldn't they move the Chiefs back 15 yards?

In comment 14980288 pjcas18 said:

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It's up to the Chargers if it's assessed on the kick-off or the point after attempt. Why would they opt to have it on the KO when they were up 2? Why wouldn't they move the Chiefs back 15 yards?

Do you have a rule cite for that?

Just asking before I go check it myself.

Harbaugh certainly made clear what his choice would be if he had one before the Giants kicked the XP. It was the difference between the Ravens being 3 or 4 points behind with a minute left.

And penalty was assessed on the kickoff.

In comment 14980270 christian said:

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The only time a flag should be thrown is if a player is mixing it up and takes their hat off. You want to talk about idiotic rules in sports, a guy scores, is walking to the sideline, takes off his helmet. That’s a penalty? Get outa here.

This.

In comment 14980262 HomerJones45 said:

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so guys were not removing helmets in the middle of a fight or trying to use it as a weapon. That was not the case in any of those instances. Pettyfogging application of the rules is just as bad as no application of the rules.

What?? The rule was instituted so players wouldn't showboat.

It has been referred to as the Emmitt Smith rule for years.

Westbrook got the flag against the Giants in the infamously boring Sunday Night tie 7 - 7 in 1997 (?).

A lot happened in this boring game.

Also known as the Gus Frerrotte game where he broke his neck headbutting the end zone padding and Jeff Hostetler had to come in to relieve Frerrotte.

Also known as the first and only NFL game my wife (then girlfriend) will ever attend in person.

In OT with time winding down the Skins were at the edge of FG range and a ref called no catch on a diving attempt by Westbrook and he took off his helmet to yell at the ref and drew the 15 yard flag and moved the skins well out of FG range.

it's not just called for fights, etc.

In comment 14980292 shyster said:

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In comment 14980288 pjcas18 said: Quote: It's up to the Chargers if it's assessed on the kick-off or the point after attempt. Why would they opt to have it on the KO when they were up 2? Why wouldn't they move the Chiefs back 15 yards? Do you have a rule cite for that? Just asking before I go check it myself. Harbaugh certainly made clear what his choice would be if he had one before the Giants kicked the XP. It was the difference between the Ravens being 3 or 4 points behind with a minute left. And penalty was assessed on the kickoff.

You are correct. Rule was changed before the 2019 season to allow the choice.
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the things you cannot remove it for:

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You cannot take your helmet off as part of a celebration, a demonstration, or as part of a confrontation with an opponent or a game official.

Not sure where the confusion over just using it as a weapon is from. I think we've seen that happen once in the past several years.

so he could mug for the cameras. I can't recall anyone attacking another player with a helmet until Myles Garrett last year.

had a player flagged for removing his helmet while injured.

I thought that was over the top, but it's never been what some people on here think.

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...Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal suffered a season-ending injury for the second consecutive year after tearing his left Achilles against the Colts Sunday night. Neal was flagged on the play because he took his helmet off while on the field, and well, that penalty stinks....

Maybe you think the rule is dumb or should be changed, but it is a rule on the books that is enforced inconsistently - and that creates problems when you enforce rules inconsistently.

In comment 14980262 HomerJones45 said:

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so guys were not removing helmets in the middle of a fight or trying to use it as a weapon. That was not the case in any of those instances. Pettyfogging application of the rules is just as bad as no application of the rules.

It doesn't matter. A rule is a rule. And for years, they have thrown a flag for any instance of a player removing his helmet on the field. Didn't OBJ get flagged for doing so off the field of play or end zone?