NFL Players Association Issues Statement on Proposal to Ban Hip-Drop Tackle

The NFL will hold its annual league meeting next week, where the league will vote on potential rule changes for the upcoming season. 

One rule proposal up for debate involves the hip-drop tackle, as the NFL’s competition committee would like to make that tackle a 15-yard penalty in an effort to control lower-body injuries.

However, players appear to be vehemently opposed to this new rule. The NFLPA released a statement Wednesday explaining its stance on hip-drop tackles.

“The players oppose any attempt by the NFL to implement a rule prohibiting a ‘swivel hip-drop’ tackle,” the statement said. “While the NFLPA remains committed to improvements to our game with health and safety in mind, we cannot support a rule change that causes confusion for us as players, for coaches, for officials and especially, for fans. 

“We call on the NFL, again, to reconsider implementing this rule.” 

Additionally, many players posted their displeasure with this proposal on social media.

🗑️ 🚮 https://t.co/zzhqW1qWZN

— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) March 20, 2024

Stop!!! How can you officiate something like this. Every game is too precious to gift teams 15 yards for routine tackling. Smh https://t.co/X3vvssLG1R

— Rodney McLeod (@Rodney_McLeod4) March 20, 2024

🚮 https://t.co/IfgyVuupBu

— Kenny Moore II (@KennyKennyMoe3) March 20, 2024

So 15 yard penalty for making a tackle...

Got it ✍🏾 https://t.co/A5KqeTVflu

— Zaire Franklin (@ZiggySmalls_) March 20, 2024

I mean how's it possible to play defense at this point. We got rules for everything lol https://t.co/uJvC7GApi7

— Jeremy Reaves (@JR1ERA) March 20, 2024

I pray to God they don’t approve this. For football’s sake.. https://t.co/PCWigdhyyu

— Jonathan Greenard (@jongreenard7) March 20, 2024

It’s so hard to play defense in the league 🤦🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/LmR8OWjjT6

— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) March 20, 2024

Hip-drop tackles have led to a variety of lower-body injuries in recent years, so much so that the league has publicly stated it is ready to ban it from games. On the other hand, players believe that making these tackles a penalty would be bad for the game.