American Football (NFL)
Injuries happen. Or do they?
Questionable injuries in the NFL were so rampant in the mid 2000s, that the Commish reminded teams feigning hurt was against the rules. Per NFL.com:
"Clubs are reminded that Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (i) of the Official Playing Rules provides that it is unsportsmanlike conduct if members of the defensive team use "acts or words that are designed to disconcert an offensive team at the snap."
The object is to stop the clock to gain an advantage, much like in Football. It emerged as a popular tactic to slow no-huddle offenses and the league's most prolific passing yards leaders like Drew Brees. Former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher admitted to doing it in his career. The NFL will, but rarely ever enforces the rule. It did hit the Steelers WR Emmanuel Samuel with a small fine in 2012.
Nonetheless, the art of feigning injury continues. Here is a compilation of some of our favorites:
"Clubs are reminded that Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 (i) of the Official Playing Rules provides that it is unsportsmanlike conduct if members of the defensive team use "acts or words that are designed to disconcert an offensive team at the snap."
The object is to stop the clock to gain an advantage, much like in Football. It emerged as a popular tactic to slow no-huddle offenses and the league's most prolific passing yards leaders like Drew Brees. Former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher admitted to doing it in his career. The NFL will, but rarely ever enforces the rule. It did hit the Steelers WR Emmanuel Samuel with a small fine in 2012.
Nonetheless, the art of feigning injury continues. Here is a compilation of some of our favorites:
Then there are the infamous injuries when celebrating. Too funny:
Chicanery like this will surely get an NFL coach fired. In case you’re wondering, here’s the odds for the first NFL coach fired in 2018.
The latest offender occurred last weekend in a Purdue college game. And it is not very difficult to prove.
The Boilermakers hosted Missouri, a squad recognized for its high-powered, up-tempo offense. Its clear a Purdue defensive player tells a certain of his teammates to “play dead” to give the defense a break.
Watch the below video closely. Kai Higgins (No. 98) motions Cornel Jones (No. 46) after arriving to go to ground and slow the tempo.
Bro what is this? Watch 98 tell 46 to go down, to stop our tempo... Clear as day pic.twitter.com/hnD6WhIy8d
— Sean *Archon (@ArchonRL) September 16, 2018
After Jones went to the turf, the official blew the play dead. This is clear as day. The video evidence is overwhelming.
To be honest, the stoppage didn’t help much, as Missouri totaled 608 yards of offense and defeated Purdue 40-37 to end the night.
Boys will be boys. Check back regularly to see the latest poor play among America's top athletes.