Patriots legend Matthew Slater has strong words for NFL after fair catch rule change

The NFL’s move to change the rules surrounding the fair catch has ruffled the feathers of many, including New England Patriots star Matthew Slater. Slater argues the rule change doesn’t actually protect players like the NFL claims it will – and limits players’ opportunities.

“I understand that we want to reduce head injuries and things of that nature. But we don’t always act as if player health and safety is paramount. . . . They say that they’re making the play safer. But the reality is, they haven’t done a single thing to make the play safer,” Slater said, via USAToday.

“They haven’t changed the rules, they haven’t changed the techniques. There’s still going to be collisions that occur if the ball is not fair caught.”

Slater, who’s made a career off of special teams, has particularly strong opinions on the rule change. He made an NFL-record 10 Pro Bowls by carving out his role as a special teams star.

Although successful kick return plays happen to be some of the most exciting in the sport, they also provide a significant opportunity for severe injury.

While lobbying for votes, NFL executive Jeff Miller reportedly said that there are more concussions on kickoffs and punts than on other plays. The return rate is expected to drop from 38 percent to 31 percent and the concussion rate should drop 15 percent, according to Tom Pelissero.

“We all know data can be skewed and projected in any way you want to slice it up,” Slater added. “It’s clear to me that they’re making an effort to eradicate this play.”

Roger Goodell lobbied hard to win votes for NFL rules change

Slater isn’t the first to call out the NFL’s hypocrisy when it comes to player safety. At the same time as the owners were voting to change this particular rule, many of the league’s owners still have turf fields instead of natural grass, which data shows results in more injuries.

The NFL ownership’s vote to move the fair catch and touchback line to the 25-yard line has received a lot of pushback for a measure that passed with 26 of 32 votes. Unsurprisingly, it was Commissioner Roger Goodell himself that had to whip several owners to the ‘yes’ side prior to the vote.

According to NFL reporter Albert Breer, as of last Monday there were at least a dozen teams ready to vote no. The no votes needed just nine members to kill the proposal and keep the line at the 20-yard mark. However, Goodell ended up getting an extra six votes to his side before the deadline.

Eventually, the rule change went through with 26 ‘yes’ votes, five ‘no’ votes and one abstention. The Ravens, Patriots, Bengals, Bears and Lions provided the ‘no’ votes, while the Raiders owner abstained.