NFL owners voted to eliminate the tuck rule Wednesday, and the rule was “overwhelmingly” eliminated, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
NFL rule changes: Tuck rule eliminated by owners
NFL owners “overwhelmingly” voted to eliminate the tuck rule on Wednesday -- a rule that has haunted Raiders fans for the past decade.
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
The tuck rule came into the public eye, and will forever live in NFL lore, because of the 2002 Divisional playoff game between the New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was hit by Charles Woodson, causing him to fumble. The play, however, was reviewed, and referee Walt Coleman invoked the tuck rule, which called the play an incomplete pass, letting the Patriots keep possession of the ball.
New England went on to win that game and three of the next four Super Bowls.
Eleven years after that controversial ruling by Coleman, the tuck rule has been eliminated -- though that’s likely small consolation to Raiders fans.
In addition to the tuck rule, NFL voters changed three other rules: A running back or wide receiver cannot lead with the crown of his helmet into a defender, peel-back blocks are now illegal and teams can no longer overload one side of the formation on field goals and point after attempts.
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