Clarification

NFL Rule 12, 2, 7g bans "using any part of a player's helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/hairline parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily," and also states, "violent or unnecessary use of the helmet is impermissible against any opponent."

Hope that clears things up.

While we're here, I've had enough of people trying to equivocate this with TJ Ward's far less dangerous hit on Jordan Shipley a couple of weeks ago. The key differences: Ward didn't lead with his hat, and his was at least a reasonable attempt to disrupt a pass completion.


h/t to TMQ for the photo and rulebook text.