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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

NFL and the WWE



From week 2, here's a tackle Rolando McClain put on receiver Danny Amendola...




Notes:
  • one guy made the tackle
  • Amendola landed on his shoulder.
Result? 15 yard penalty.

And here's a "tackle" on quarterback Vince Young...





Notes:
  • three guys
  • Young was driven, head first, into the turf
Result? No penalty.

Just for kicks, here's what the NFL rules digest says: "Officials are to blow the play dead as soon as the quarterback is clearly in the grasp and control of any tackler, and his safety is in jeopardy."

I guess they hadn't read that part, yet.

[Edit]
In week 4, T.J. Ward lays out receiver Jordan Shipley.





The flag was thrown immediately, it's a personal foul, and would subsequently be assessed a fine from the league. During the game, the commentators are quick to say "that's leading with the head." But, if you watch the replay, at 0:09 Ward is clearly turning his head away from Shipley and leading with his shoulder.

So, I'm going to go ahead and point out the elephant in the room - the penalties were called on plays where the guy getting hit is white, while there's no flag when Vince Young, who is black, and is the quarterback, is picked up by three defenders and driven head first into the turf.