Today, the National Football League announced plans to remove violent physical contact from professional football. Citing the risk of injury, death, or spread of contagious illnesses, Roger Goodell stated that they would be moving the sport to a “two hand touch” form of contact, wherein a player holding the ball is considered “downed” if they are touched with both hands of a player from the opposing team.
“We’ve just had too many injuries, especially concussions, and it’s getting pretty expensive for us as an organization. It’s beginning to impact our bottom line,” said Goodell. “We believe that fans are going to enjoy this exciting new way to play football, and they’ll be able to see their favorite players in action more because they’re not going to be injured all the time.”
The league clarified several new rules around what constitutes a “touch.” According to an internal memo, players must make “clear, intentional, two-handed contact” with the ball carrier. Officials will be encouraged to determine whether the touch was “assertive enough to simulate a tackle,” a distinction that may require multiple angles and slow-motion review.
Players expressed excitement about the move on social media, praising the league for prioritizing their health. “I was getting to the point where I wasn’t looking forward to games, because I knew I was gonna [sic] get hurt,” said Travis Kelce on Twitter. “It might not look like it, but those mother******s are big, and I was getting bruises and stuff everywhere.”
“I was always a target, and it honestly felt a bit like a hostile work environment,” said Patrick Mahomes. “It was just a matter of time before I got a concussion.”
Fans have had mixed reactions. Some seem to have enjoyed the physical violence in one way or another: “These p****** are getting paid to throw a ball, and they’re afraid of getting tackled? Might as well watch soccer like a European with feelings,” Tweeted Dave Portnoy. Others mentioned that this will slow the game down, as referees would need to review more footage to ensure both hands had touched the player holding the ball.
Several coaches have talked about how this might change the kind of athlete they’re looking for, including New England Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick. “In a year, two years, I see us drafting limber, agile guys for most of our lineup,” he said at a press conference this afternoon. “Think Usain Bolt all across the line.”
In response to the announcements, rumors abound that the NBA will be introducing full contact to basketball later this year.