NFL exec Troy Vincent says kickoff is a 'dead ceremonial play' and could be eradicated

For years now, the NFL has worked to make the game safer. In particular, there was a concern about head injuries that occur on kickoffs. So, the league tried a fair catch rule on kickoffs. Now, however, that rule appears to be going away.

As Tom Pelissero reported, NFL executive Troy Vincent says that the kickoff is a “dead ceremonial play” and that it could be eradicated moving forward.

“NFL exec Troy Vincent says kickoff is a ‘dead ceremonial play today’ and will be addressed,” Tom Pelissero posted. “Sounds like the one-year experiment encouraging fair catches will be modified, if not going away entirely.”

The fair catch rule for kickoffs that is being used this season appears not to have gone the way the NFL would like it to go. After all, special teams are still a key part of the sport and this has extremely limited them. Still, there is a need to protect players. So, the NFL is going to need to find a new solution.

“Speaking again on the one-year rule regarding fair catches on kickoffs, Vincent says: ‘It should expire. But we’re hoping the coaches will come back with some additional alternatives.'” Pelissero posted. “It can’t go back to the way it was, Vincent says, citing head impact and injury rates.”

Careers are built on special teams, both for players and coaches. It would be very difficult to just remove kickoffs from the game. At the same time, protecting players from injuries is also incredibly important moving forward. It’s a difficult balance to strike.

Troy Vincent also discussed the tush push and the hip drop tackle, which have become controversial this season. Those are issues the NFL is looking into.

NFL exec Troy Vincent expects league to get rid of hip drop tackles

The hip drop tackle has become a controversial play in the NFL. Basically, it’s a tackle from behind where the defender falls dead weight as they wrap up, thus crashing into the legs of the player they’re tackling. Typically, it’s not done on purpose but because a player is trying to catch someone from behind, but it has led to injuries.

Now, NFL executive Troy Vincent says he expects the league to ban this type of tackle for player safety.

“I would tell you I think we all should work to get that out of the game. It has escalated in the number of times it occurred this season. The injury can be very devastating,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, in agreement.

This wouldn’t be the first time the NFL has banned a style of tackle and if it does happen, players will once again need to adjust.