Bucs punter Jake Camarda escapes penalty or ejection for swinging his helmet
Swinging your helmet at another player is an extremely SERIOUS and dangerous illegal (of NFL rules) act. Camarda should have been EJECTED. Period.
He was allowed to punt FOUR MORE times after that incident. Not having a punter would have changed the game significantly.
The NFL rules concerning taking your helmet off is UNEQUIVOCAL....
The NFL rule book, Rule 12, Section 2, Article 17....
If he does not get suspended SEVERAL games, the NFL has a lot of explaining to do.
As it is, the referees handed the Bucs a HUGE advantage by NOT enforcing what is suppsed to be a sacrosanct rule.
Last night’s game between the Buccaneers and the Bills included a strange moment after Tampa Bay kicker Chase McLaughlin connected on a 57-yard field goal.
A skirmish emerged. And it culminated in Bucs punter Jake Camarda removing his helmet and swinging it. The helmet makes contact with the helmet of Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau and the arm of Bills linebacker Terrell Bernard (who seemed to be shoving Camarda’s face mask just before Camarda weaponized his entire helmet).
Flags were thrown. Ultimately, no penalty was called.
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A skirmish emerged. And it culminated in Bucs punter Jake Camarda removing his helmet and swinging it. The helmet makes contact with the helmet of Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau and the arm of Bills linebacker Terrell Bernard (who seemed to be shoving Camarda’s face mask just before Camarda weaponized his entire helmet).
Flags were thrown. Ultimately, no penalty was called.
More…
You are not supposed to EVER even take off your helmet on the field.Swinging your helmet at another player is an extremely SERIOUS and dangerous illegal (of NFL rules) act. Camarda should have been EJECTED. Period.
He was allowed to punt FOUR MORE times after that incident. Not having a punter would have changed the game significantly.
The NFL rules concerning taking your helmet off is UNEQUIVOCAL....
The rule includes this language: “Removal of his helmet by a player in the field of play or the end zone during a celebration or demonstration, or during a confrontation with a game official or any other player.”
It is not a judgment call. It’s automatic, with no discretion or exceptions.
It is not a judgment call. It’s automatic, with no discretion or exceptions.
ARTICLE 17. USE OF HELMET AS A WEAPON. A player may not use a helmet that is no longer worn by anyone as a weapon to strike, swing at, or throw at an opponent.
Penalty: For illegal use of a helmet as a weapon: Loss of 15 yards and automatic disqualification. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down.
Penalty: For illegal use of a helmet as a weapon: Loss of 15 yards and automatic disqualification. If the foul is by the defense, it is also an automatic first down.
If he does not get suspended SEVERAL games, the NFL has a lot of explaining to do.
As it is, the referees handed the Bucs a HUGE advantage by NOT enforcing what is suppsed to be a sacrosanct rule.
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