The National Football League (NFL) is taking a hard stance on hip-drop tackles through its disciplinary process, showing that it is not only concerned with action on the field, but also with player safety.
In a recent announcement, the league revealed that four players were fined for hip-drop tackles in Week Two of the season. Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, and New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley all received fines of $16,883 each for their egregious actions. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Rams linebacker Desjuan Johnson was fined a lesser amount of $5,191.
The reasoning behind the discrepancy in fine amounts was not explicitly stated by the league, but it is possible that they determined Johnson’s hip-drop tackle to be less severe or intentional compared to the others. Regardless, the message is clear – the NFL will not tolerate dangerous tackles that put players at risk of injury.
According to the NFL’s definition, a hip-drop tackle occurs when a defender wraps up a ball carrier and then rotates or swivels his hips, unweighting himself and dropping onto the ball carrier’s legs during the tackle. This technique has been responsible for several significant injuries in the past, prompting the league to take action to eliminate it from the game.
Despite the NFL’s efforts to crack down on hip-drop tackles, some players have voiced concerns about the clarity and consistency of the enforcement process. They argue that the definition of a hip-drop tackle is vague and open to interpretation, leading to uncertainty about how it will be applied in different situations.
As the league continues to prioritize player safety and eliminate dangerous tactics from the game, it remains to be seen how players will adapt to the new rules and regulations surrounding hip-drop tackles. In the meantime, fines serve as a clear warning that these types of tackles will not be tolerated in the NFL.
