Can You Pull Hair In The NFL?

Can you pull hair in the NFL? It’s a question that has been asked many times, and unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive answer. However, we can take a look at the rulebook and make an educated guess.

NFL’s Hair Policy

In the NFL, players are not allowed to grab each other’s hair during play. This rule was put in place to protect players from hair-related injuries. However, some players have been known to grab another player’s hair during a tackle or a sack. This can lead to a penalty, but it is not always called.

What the NFL’s hair policy states

The National Football League’s Hair Policy is one that has come under scrutiny in recent years, as more and more players have pushed the boundaries with their hairstyles. The policy, which was put in place in 2007, states that players’ hair must “present a professional appearance.” This means that players’ hair must be cut above the collar, and they are not allowed to have dreadlocks or any other style that could be considered “unprofessional.”

While the policy does not specifically mention race, it has been criticized for being unfair to African American players, who often wear their hair in styles that would not be considered professional by the NFL’s standards. In 2016, then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick spoke out against the policy, saying that it was “racist and discriminatory.”

As of 2019, the NFL has not made any changes to its hair policy. However, it is worth noting that the league has become more lax in enforcing the policy in recent years.

Why the policy exists

The NFL’s hair policy was put into place in order to keep players from physically restraining other players on the field using their hair. This policy is in place to maintain player safety and to keep the game as fair as possible. The rule specifically states that players are not allowed to grab an opponent’s hair in order to tackle them, or to use their hair as a means of restraint while making a tackle. This rule applies to all players, regardless of their hairstyle.

Many people believe that the NFL’s hair policy is unfair, especially to players who have dreadlocks or other hairstyles that are difficult to keep under control during a game. However, the NFL has stated that they are willing to work with players on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure that everyone is following the rules and that everyone is safe on the field.

Players Who Have Violated The Policy

The NFL has a long-standing policy prohibiting players from grabbing or pulling hair, and the league has enforced that rule on a handful of occasions. In 2013, the league suspended then-Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Akeem Spence for one game after he violated the policy. In 2016, the NFL suspended then-Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict for the first three games of the season for a similar infraction.

Odell Beckham Jr.

In December of 2015, Beckham was suspended for one game after he had multiple personal fouls, including a helmet-to-helmet hit, in a game against the Carolina Panthers. In the same game, Beckham also drew three flags for either taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct.

Dez Bryant

In 2012, then-Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after pulling the hair of then-New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara. The play in question occurred during a run by Bryant, who was being tackled by Amukamara. As the two men jostled for position, Bryant reach back and grabbed a handful of Amukamara’s hair, yanking his head down in the process.

The officials didn’t see the hair-pulling incident on the field, but it was caught on video and reviewed after the game. Upon review, it was determined that Bryant had indeed violated the rules and he was fined $7,875 as a result.

Antonio Brown

On September 10, 2018, Brown was fined $10,000 for taunting aTennessee Titans player by pulling his hair during a play.

Fans’ Reactions To The Policy

In recent years, the NFL has been changing a lot of its policies. Some of these changes have been good, like making the game safer, but others have been controversial. One of the most controversial changes has been the rule about pulling hair.

Some fans think the policy is unfair

Some fans think the policy is unfair because it seems like an overreaction to a rare occurrence. They believe that players should be able to choose what they do with their hair, and that pulling hair should not be compared to actual violence.

Other fans think the policy is necessary

Many other fans think the policy is a step in the right direction, although they would like to see it go even further. They believe that hair pulling can be just as dangerous as any other form of tackle, and should therefore be penalized in the same way. They also think that this will help to discourage players from doing it, which will make the game safer for everyone involved.

NFL Players’ Reactions To The Policy

Last week, the NFL released a statement saying that players are not allowed to pull opposing players’ hair during games. This rule has caused mixed reactions among NFL players, with some thinking it’s ridiculous and others thinking it’s a good idea. Here are some of the NFL players’ reactions to the new policy.

Some players think the policy is unfair

Some players think that the new policy is unfair because it takes away their right to self-expression. “I think it’s B.S. I don’t like it,” said Oakland Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin. “I feel like you’re taking away our freedom to express ourselves. We all grown men. If we want to wear our hair a certain way, we should be able to do that. This is bigger than football. This is about us as men.”

Other players think the policy is necessary

Many other players in the NFL think that this new policy is long overdue and that it will help to cut down on the amount of injuries sustained during games. Some believe that it will also help to keep players from using their helmets as weapons and increase the overall safety of the game.