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Phoenix — The NFL has approved a rule change that would have impacted a critical late-season loss by the Detroit Lions last season.
According to NFL Network, the league passed a rule "to allow league personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field." The rule was amended to also allow a flag to be thrown on the field in addition to disqualification.
The decision likely comes after a highly publicized incident in which Pittsburgh Steelers receiver DK Metcalf swiped at a fan sitting in the stands of a 29-24 Lions loss on Dec. 21. Because on-field officials didn't see the second-quarter interaction, Metcalf was allowed to stay in the game despite multiple camera angles showing wrongdoing. He had three catches for 37 yards in the second half.
The rule change was proposed by the competition committee.
At the time, an NFL official told The Detroit News that the league cannot weigh in with a potential disqualification unless a flag is thrown on the play, which did not occur in that instance.
Under the new rule, officials would have been able to eject Metcalf and throw a flag on the play.
The saga between Metcalf and Lions fan Ryan Kennedy, who was on the receiving end of Metcalf's act. Kennedy is seeking an excess of $100 million in damages in Wayne County Circuit Court for what he said are false accusations that the incident started because he used slurs in taunting Metcalf.
Former receiver Chad Ochocinco Johnson relayed on his podcast, "Nightcap," that he heard from a source who "wears number four" (Metcalf's number with the Steelers) that Metcalf's reaction was in response to Kennedy using the N-word and C-word.
“By bringing this lawsuit, I’m trying to do exactly that: do the right thing, clear the air, and stand up for the actual truth," Kennedy said during a press conference on Feb. 4. "What’s been said about me on national and international media is false and deeply hurtful, being publicly labeled a racist based on something I did not say has caused serious damage to my family, business, reputation and has put my personal safety at risk."
[email protected]
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: NFL approves rule change that would have impacted Detroit Lions loss in 2025
Continue reading...
According to NFL Network, the league passed a rule "to allow league personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field." The rule was amended to also allow a flag to be thrown on the field in addition to disqualification.
The decision likely comes after a highly publicized incident in which Pittsburgh Steelers receiver DK Metcalf swiped at a fan sitting in the stands of a 29-24 Lions loss on Dec. 21. Because on-field officials didn't see the second-quarter interaction, Metcalf was allowed to stay in the game despite multiple camera angles showing wrongdoing. He had three catches for 37 yards in the second half.
The rule change was proposed by the competition committee.
At the time, an NFL official told The Detroit News that the league cannot weigh in with a potential disqualification unless a flag is thrown on the play, which did not occur in that instance.
Under the new rule, officials would have been able to eject Metcalf and throw a flag on the play.
The saga between Metcalf and Lions fan Ryan Kennedy, who was on the receiving end of Metcalf's act. Kennedy is seeking an excess of $100 million in damages in Wayne County Circuit Court for what he said are false accusations that the incident started because he used slurs in taunting Metcalf.
Former receiver Chad Ochocinco Johnson relayed on his podcast, "Nightcap," that he heard from a source who "wears number four" (Metcalf's number with the Steelers) that Metcalf's reaction was in response to Kennedy using the N-word and C-word.
“By bringing this lawsuit, I’m trying to do exactly that: do the right thing, clear the air, and stand up for the actual truth," Kennedy said during a press conference on Feb. 4. "What’s been said about me on national and international media is false and deeply hurtful, being publicly labeled a racist based on something I did not say has caused serious damage to my family, business, reputation and has put my personal safety at risk."
[email protected]
@nolanbianchi
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: NFL approves rule change that would have impacted Detroit Lions loss in 2025
Continue reading...
