All the Rules You Probably Didn't Know NFL Players Have to Follow
- 1/31
All the Rules You Probably Didn't Know NFL Players Have to Follow
Since its inception back in 1920, watching the NFL has been one of America's favorite pastimes, and fans might be surprised by how many rules players have to abide by. Some may seem basic, while others are more extreme. But it's all to maintain the perfect image and keep the love of the game alive amongst players and viewers. Here are just some of the rules you probably didn't know football players have to follow.
- 2/31
They must follow a strict dress code.
Getting dressed for game day isn't as simple as you might think. It turns out, the NFL has several rules dedicated to how players have to dress before, during, and after games.
- 3/31
You only have some flexibility when it comes to your number.
Numbers are assigned based on a players' position—unlike other sports, where players have the ability to choose what number they wear. For example, if you're the quarterback, you can only choose a number between 1-19.
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- 4/31
Jerseys should be tucked in on the field.
The NFL maintains this rule due to safety precautions and professionalism.
- 5/31
They have to wear their pants just right.
The official rule from the NFL states that players must wear pants that cover the entire knee area, without having to shorten or roll them up.
- 6/31
They must wear their socks at a specific height.
According to the official uniform policy statement, players must wear approved team color socks "from mid-calf to the bottom of the pant leg."
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- 7/31
Towels can only be tucked into the front of the waist.
And they can only use the 6 inch by 8 inch size towel specially issued by the NFL—no personal messages, logos, or names are allowed on it.
- 8/31
Only some headwear can be worn during a game.
Aside from helmets and headbands to keep sweat and hair back, players aren't allowed to don bandanas during a game, even if it's under the helmet.
- 9/31
They can't do a leapfrog during the game.
This rule is definitely a weird one, but it's in place because it can be used as leverage in attempting to block a kick or pass.
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- 10/31
They can wear designs on their shoes.
But only during warmup, and as long as the NFL and their respective teams approve of the intended design, and they're placed on an NFL standard football cleat.
- 11/31
They can't wear personal messages on their bodies during a game.
This rule came to light when DeAngelo Williams walked on the field in 2015 and honored his mother, a breast cancer survivor, with the message "find the cure" on his eye blacks. While the gesture was for a good cause, the league slapped him with a fine just shy of $6,000 for breaking this rule.
- 12/31
However, entire teams can make a social or political statement together.
But restrictions still apply. When players wanted to represent the Black Lives Matter movement during the 2020-2021 season, the league allowed them to use one of four pre-approved phrases on their helmets/caps.
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- 13/31
All accessories must be pre-approved as well.
This includes baseball caps, jewelry (like this cross earring on offensive tackle Morgan Moses), sunglasses, and other accessories that could be deemed unnecessary to the game.
- 14/31
Masks not issued by the league must be approved.
If a player wants to don a different mask than the one issued by the league, he must have a report submitted by a doctor before it is allowed.
- 15/31
They must wear masks while traveling and in team facilities.
And while wearing a mask amid COVID-19 might not be so comfortable in the middle of a game, the NFL strongly encourages its players to wear them.
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- 16/31
Anyone on the sidelines has to wear a mask too.
This includes players, coaches, and staff. Anyone who's part of the team must wear a mask this season.
- 17/31
They can't skip meetings without permission.
There's only one good reason a player has for missing a meeting, and that's if he's sick, hurt, and/or a doctor signs off on it. If not, it could result in a fine.
- 18/31
They can't miss official team practices during the season and preseason.
If players end up oversleeping and missing practice, they could face a steep fine.
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- 19/31
They can't spin footballs in the air after a touchdown.
The reason for this? It could be viewed as disrespectful towards the opposing team. The consequence could be a fine or a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- 20/31
They have to be careful saluting during games too.
This is in the same vein as no spinning the ball after a touchdown. Certain salutes can look like you're taunting the other team, which is against NFL rules.
- 21/31
Sexually suggestive moves are off-limits, too.
This rule should be a given, but sometimes even longtime players don't understand how moves like twerking can lead to league commissioners levying a fine.
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- 22/31
They can't dunk a football through the goalpost.
Is it obvious yet just how much the NFL has issues with touchdown celebrations? In this case, the league believes that anything that could be considered a prop is illegal for players to use during touchdowns. And guess what's on the list of "props"? A goalpost.
- 23/31
No violent gestures can be made in the end zone either.
What does this mean exactly? A player can't point finger guns or do bow-and-arrow motions after scoring a touchdown, for instance.
- 24/31
Thankfully, they can still have some fun in the endzone.
Perhaps trying to show that it's not the "No Fun League," the NFL now allows players to celebrate more excessively (but still within limits) than in years past.
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- 25/31
They can't take certain drugs while on the field.
One such medicine players aren't allowed to take before games? Adderall, unless it's with a doctor's permission. While its use is to treat ADHD, it's been widely reported over the years that players sometimes abuse the drug to help them focus during games.
- 26/31
You can't intend to injure another player.
This should be the most obvious rule, but, well, sometimes it isn't.
- 27/31
They have specific rules for how to defend wide receivers.
Among the rules: Players can't touch a wide receiver after five yards unless they're making a play with the ball. If they do, they'll be assessed a 5-yard penalty.
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- 28/31
Coaches can't call back-to-back time-outs.
If they do, their team can get penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- 29/31
They don't just have NFL rules to think about.
There are also expectations from their respective teams on how to behave on and off the field. One example? Players are expected to wear suits as they arrive on gameday.
- 30/31
There are still strict rules around endorsing alcohol.
But the rules became slightly more relaxed when Canadian whisky company Crown Royal partnered with some NFL players (including DeMarcus Ware and Ed Reed) in 2018 to promote responsible alcohol consumption on game days.
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- 31/31
And in case you're wondering where all the fines go...
...think of it almost like a retirement plan for NFL stars. For every fine a player has to pay, none of the funds actually end up going to the league. Instead, the money goes towards programs for former players in need, like the NFL Foundation.
Some of these are pretty surprising.