Crazy rule I didn’t know about!

pmedic920

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Tx Tech @ Houston Cougars

Just saw a crazy penalty that I didn’t know existed.

Dude got flagged for hands to the face, pulled player’s helmet off in the process.

The dude that got his helmet ripped off continues to play and gets flagged for that.

Two penalties off set, replay down.


Never seen the second half of the two, didn’t know the rule existed.
 

oldhawkfan

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So if you are going to get flagged for face masking or hands to the face, just rip the guys helmet off to save the 15 yard penalty!
 
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pmedic920

pmedic920

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So if you are going to get flagged for face masking or hands to the face, just rip the guys helmet off to save the 15 yard penalty!
Evidently so, if the dude continues to play the remainder of the down.

I guess you’re supposed to instantly fall to the ground, curl up in the fetal position, and cover your throat.
 

chris98251

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That must be a newer rule, in the past I seen players continue the play since they did not remove their helmet. Risky in today's game for sure.
 
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pmedic920

pmedic920

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That's on the refs for not immediately whistling the play dead. Stupid rule.
I think it’s stupid as well.

Especially in a situation where it’s going to negate or offset the original personal foul.

IMO, it should be up to the player that has no helmet on.

I believe the caveat should be if the player removes his own helmet for whatever reason.
I can see that being penalized.
 

Trackhawk

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This has been illegal, in NCAA football, ever since the rule was introduced in 2012. “Prolonged participation” without a helmet is a personal foul.

It is the player’s responsibility to stop playing, and walk away from the play to the best of his ability, unless he is the ball carrier, in which case the play is stopped.

If the helmet came off as the result of a foul (targeting, facemask, etc) the player can return on the next play. If it was not as the result of a foul, he has to sit the next play out.

While I’m not sure it is explicitly outlined in the rule book, ripping an opponent’s helmet off, then continuing to engage him, while he makes obvious efforts to disengage, should result in a second, unsportsmanlike conduct, personal foul to the dude who ripped the helmet off, and should result in his ejection.
 

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The play happens here at 1:15 ish into the video. You can see that the Tech player continues on to the QB, after his helmet comes off.

Clear offsetting in this case.
 

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