The NFL is moving forward with a plan to institute a rule that would require an automatic ejection for players who commit two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a game, league officials said Thursday.
The proposal, to be discussed next week at an annual meeting of NFL owners, is a limited form of a suggestion made in February by commissioner Roger Goodell.
The applicable penalties for automatic ejection has been narrowed from all personal fouls to a handful of sportsmanship-violations. Had the rule been in place last season as proposed, only two players would have been ejected, according to competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay.
Meanwhile, McKay and NFL executive vice president Rich McKay confirmed that there would be no change to the controversial catch rule that requires receivers to maintain control of the ball until they "become a runner."
McKay estimated the rule causes concern on less than six passes per season -- in 2016, more than 18,000 passes were thrown -- and Vincent said the league would ramp up efforts to teach the rule to fans and media members.
The NFL's ejection rule, on the other hand, will be strengthened. Vincent said referees will be reminded that they can eject players for flagrant offenses at any time. But if a player commits two offenses from three new categories, officials will have no choice. From the rule proposal itself:
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Throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even though no contact is made.
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Using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.
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Using baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams.
Approval of this proposal, or any of the other 19 rule changes from either the competition committee or individual teams, requires the consent of 24 team owners.
Other rule proposals and possible NFL bylaw changes include:
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Make permanent the one-year 2015 experiment to place the extra point kick at the 15-yard line.
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Make all chop blocks illegal
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Allow coaches in the press box to communicate directly with players on the field, rather than through a coach on the sideline
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Expand the horse-collar rule to include instances where a defender grabs the ball carrier by the back of his jersey near the name plate.
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Allow coaches and player to view game video on sideline tablets during games, rather than simply still photographs.
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