After the NFL competition committee unanimously voted to ban the hip-drop tackle during league meetings on Monday, free-agent running back Kenyan Drake defended the rule change.
Drake, who was sidelined for five games during the 2021 season due to an ankle injury suffered from a hip-drop tackle, voiced what has been an unpopular opinion among NFL players.
"I don't care about popular opinion," Drake wrote in a post on X. "I lost my right ankle and a quarter of the '21 season to this type of tackle. Something had to give and I'm glad it's not anybody legs/ankles anymore."
Kenyan Drake™ @KDx32i don't care about popular opinion. i lost my right ankle and a quarter of the '21 season to this type of tackle. something had to give and im glad it's not anybody legs/ankles anymore <a href="">
The tackle will now trigger a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the offense. The expectation is that the tackle will result in more fines than penalties next season as players and officials adjust to the new rule.
Several players and former players have voiced their disagreement with the new rule, including former defensive end JJ Watt, who suggested the NFL "fast forward to the belts with flags on them."
JJ Watt @JJWattJust fast forward to the belts with flags on them… <a href="">
The NFLPA has been vocal in its disagreement with banning the hip-drop tackle, releasing a statement last week ahead of league meetings.
"The players oppose any attempt by the NFL to implement a rule prohibiting a 'swivel hip-drop' tackle," the statement read. "While the NFLPA remains committed to improvements to our game with health and safety in mind, we cannot support a rule change that causes confusion for us as players, for coaches, for officials and especially, for fans. We call on the NFL, again, to reconsider implementing this rule."
The impact the rule change will have on games is to be determined, but next season will be interesting as defensive players navigate how to avoid the penalty while still being effective in bringing players down.
Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs, like Drake, likely rejoiced when the rule change was put in place knowing they won't have to worry about the hip-drop tackle as much moving forward.
