Mon Sep 16 15:30:00 UTC 2024: ## NFL’s Hip-Drop Ban Under Fire as Officials Fail to Enforce Rule
The NFL’s new rule banning hip-drop tackles has come under scrutiny after numerous instances of the illegal move going unpunished. Despite the league’s clear stance against the dangerous tackle, which carries a 15-yard penalty and automatic first down, officials have been hesitant to flag the maneuver.
The latest victim of a hip-drop tackle is Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon, who suffered an ankle injury after a tackle by a Bears defender. Mixon, visibly upset by the lack of enforcement, took to Twitter to express his frustration, demanding the league hold officials accountable for upholding the new rule.
“The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason,” Mixon wrote. “Time to put your money where your mouth is.”
While the league has yet to comment publicly on the lack of enforcement, sources suggest they may still penalize players who commit hip-drop tackles even without on-field penalties. This includes Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards, who was not flagged for a hip-drop tackle but could face a fine from the league.
The NFL defines a hip-drop tackle as: “A foul if a player uses the following technique to bring a runner to the ground: (a) grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms; and (b) unweights himself by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body, landing on and trapping the runner’s leg(s) at or below the knee.”
The league’s inaction on this dangerous tackle has sparked concern amongst players and fans alike. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the NFL will finally take a firm stance and ensure proper enforcement of this important safety rule.
First Piper 