NFL owners voted on multiple rules before concluding their winter meetings in Phoenix on Wednesday, voting to eliminate the tuck rule, penalize crown of the helmet hits by players outside of the tackle box or at least 3 yards downfield and change the replay challenge rule so that a bad coaches' challenge does not prevent officials to review the previous play.
The tuck rule was made infamous with Tom Brady playing the beneficiary during the 2001 AFC divisional playiff game between the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots. A ball that appeared to be fumbled by Brady was ruled an imcomplete pass and the Patriots went on to win the game. Now, if a quarterback brings the football back toward his body while trying to throw, it will be ruled a fumble.
The final vote to eliminate the tuck rule was 29-1. The Redskins and Patriots were the only abstentions.
"We didn't think it was necessary to make that change," Steelers president Art Rooney told ESPN. "We were happy with the way it's been called."
The crown of the helmet hits rule was widely debated and bashed amongst many NFL running backs in days leading up to the voting. The rule will be enforced by a 15-yard penalty.
If both the offensive and defensive player lowers his head and uses the crown of the helmet, each will be penalized. Owners voted 31-1 in favor of the rule, with the Cincinnati Bengals voting against it.
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