Arizona Cardinals: NFL Bans Non-Standard Facemasks

Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has prohibited non-standard facemasks from the 2014 season. In their statement they said, the masks often failed safety and certification tests and are not up to standards. Okay, I can go with that. What I can`t go with is their other statement that its added weight affects the structure of the helmet, causes neck fatigue, and provides a false sense of security when tackling. Are you serious?

To add insult to injury the league stated they enjoy the diversity of inventive facemasks, but player safety is paramount when it comes to the head and neck. Okay, I`m sure the bit of added weight of the facemasks is not going to affect the structure of a helmet that gets slammed into the ground. As of neck fatigue, come on, these are professional athletes. With the false sense of security, these few who are using them do so, so people can`t grab their mask, it’s not for tackling.

Owner of B.A. Masks Alan MacFeran said ” It has nothing to do with player safety.” I`d have to agree. Why they put a ban on them I don`t know. What I do know though, if player safety really is paramount to the league, they`d make these standard for running backs and wide receivers. If every back and receiver had a visor and mask that fingers can`t get into, no more facemask penalties. No more heads will get jerked around while they`re being pulled to the ground.

These masks been used for years on the field and I have`nt heard someone getting hurt while wearing them. I have`nt heard Darnell Dockett`s mask failed or it effected the structure of his helmet. As for the fatigue, necks has muscles in them and if you work out muscles, they get stronger. So with this being said, I think I just proved this is all just an excuse. What do all you NFL fans out there think?

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