As I was scrolling through my newsfeed the other day, I noticed a headline exclaiming, “ARE NFL PLAYERS ALLOWED TO RUN OVER REFS?” It struck me as a bit odd that this was even a question to begin with, so of course, without hesitation, I had to investigate further!
So it turns out, running over officials – and any contact, for that matter – is a big no-no in the National Football League. You might think this would be an obvious rule, but for some reason I have seen it come up more than once in the sports world. According to the NFL guidelines on player conduct, NFL players “must not physically or verbally abuse anyone on the field. This includes but is not limited to game officials, coaches, trainers, opponents, or fellow players.”
Violations of this rule may result in a player being ejected from the game, a suspension, or a fine. But regardless of the punishment, the NFL makes it very clear that any contact, from pushing to running over an official, is completely unacceptable.
This might come as a surprise to some people, especially those who have seen the passionate displays from some NFL players. Even with that being said, it’s important to remember that the NFL is a professional sports league and should be treated as such. And while it’s easy to get heated up in the heat of the moment, running over an official is always off-limits.
As a fan of the game, it is understandable that you may not agree with every call the referee makes. That’s ok. After all, that’s part of the game. But when it comes to being physically aggressive or verbally abusive, that’s completely different. No one should ever be subjected to such behavior – especially from NFL players.
For me, this issue hits a little too close to home. Growing up playing football, I have seen my fair share of bad calls and questionable behavior from officials. However, I’ve always taken my frustrations out in a positive way — by practicing, conditioning, and working harder. I believe that this is the only way to reach success in any sport.
The same holds true for the NFL. Players must respect the officials and follow the rules and regulations set forth by the league. I believe that if we learn to respect the game and those who help run it, it will remain one of the most thrilling sports experiences around.
To conclude, I hope NFL players keep this in mind and remember that running over officials is strictly prohibited. It not only hurts the game, but it also sets a dangerous precedent for players of all ages. The game of football should always be about respect and integrity, and that begins with NFL players.