The NFL’s decision to outlaw the hip-drop tackle has sparked controversy among many players, yet a seasoned running back believes it’s a necessary change.
In a unanimous vote on Monday, NFL team owners approved a rule banning the hip-drop tackle, a move where a defender wraps up an offensive player and then twists or falls to the ground with full body weight. The NFL Players Association vehemently opposed the rule, citing concerns about putting defensive players in an untenable position.
Contrary to the NFLPA’s stance, Kenyan Drake, a free-agent running back, disagrees. He shared a video on X depicting an injury caused by a hip-drop tackle during the 2021 season, originally posting it after a December 2021 game and calling for the NFL to address this specific tackling style.
“I don’t care about popular opinion. I lost my right ankle and a quarter of the ’21 season to this type of tackle. Something had to give, and I’m glad it’s not anybody’s legs/ankles anymore,” Drake expressed on Monday.
RELATED: J.J. Watt Furiously Reacts to Controversial NFL Rule Change
His sentiment sharply contrasts with JJ Watt and others who voiced their opinions after news of the ban passed.
Critics of the hip-drop tackle ban argue that the NFL has already made tackling difficult for defenders. Additionally, officiating such a play poses challenges, though the league will likely impose fines retroactively even if no penalty flag is thrown. If an official does penalize a hip-drop tackle, it will result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Last season witnessed at least one high-profile injury resulting from a hip-drop tackle, likely influencing the unanimous passage of the new rule.
