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11 Comments
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
LSU defensive end Lewis Neal spoke with reporters this week about the 15-yard penalty he received after he tackled Syracuse quarterback Zack Mahoney without his helmet on.

The penalty happened in the 3rd quarter on a drive that led to an Orange touchdown and Neal knows that cant happen again. Per NOLA.com:
quote:

"I don't think that was crazy," Neal told a group of reporters Monday. "I was just playing. It's nothing to me. Everybody on this team played tackle football with no pads or helmet.

"That's (stopping mid-play) hard because my motor is always going to run. I've just got to slow down. I can't have that happen. It cost a touchdown. It could cost the game. You never know what could happen."
Neal also added this about the helmet rule which he believes could be tweaked somewhat:

Filed Under: LSU Football

Comments

11 Comments
user avatar
Neal is right, the play should be blown dead. Otherwise, it incentivizes removing your opponent's helmet so they have to play 10 to 11.
Reply96 months
user avatar
The real question? Where was the flag for facemask or illegal hands to the face against Syracuse for removing Neal's helmet, making the penalties offset?
Reply96 months
user avatar
If the referees would have enforced the illegal hands to the face that caused the helmet to come off then this would be an offsetting penalty....but....Tom Ritter.
Reply96 months
user avatar
I was screaming "what are you doing" when he was chasing the RB. Those comments leads me to believe he still doesn't fully understand the rule.
Reply96 months
user avatar
Eastern Michigan just figured out how to stop Fournette. Grab his helmet as he flies by.
Reply96 months
user avatar
The rule will exist, and maybe it should for the safety of the game. However 15yd personal foul is just ludicrous. How is playing the game hard the same as punching someone, or personally trying to injure someone.

If a player loses his helmet do you really expect him to just sit there and run away?
Reply96 months
user avatar
Quick, he's about to score a touchdown EVERYONE TAKE YOUR HELMET OFF
Reply96 months
user avatar
Quick, he's about to score a touchdown EVERYONE TAKE YOUR HELMET OFF
Reply96 months
user avatar
Either 5 yard penalty or stopping play as he suggested. If a player is expected to "freeze" and stop playing after his helmet comes off then the refs should be able to react soon enough to stop play.
Reply96 months
user avatar
5 yards is probably the best route. Blowing the play dead would be a disaster
Reply96 months
user avatar
Yeah, we don't have to worry about that rule being changed. It's all about player safety these days.
Reply96 months
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