In their never-ending quest to ensure a student-athletes’ safety from his/her self, the NCAA announced today that they have officially banned messages written on eye black.
Can I get a “Hallelujah!”? Or a muffled “Praise the Lord!”, at the least?
Back in February, the NCAA’s Football Rules Committee proposed several rule changes, including banning eye black messages. According to the Associated Press, the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved not only the message ban but also a couple other measures as well.
The eye black “issue” remained in the headlines throughout 2009, thanks in large part to Tim Tebow continuing his much-ballyhooed project of transcribing the entire King James bible on his under-the-eye sun deflectors before his eligibility expired. Additionally, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor took some serious flack for an eye black message in support of Michael Vick.
In the past, individual schools determined what was or wasn’t an appropriate message to be worn on the field. Now, that decision has been taken out of their hands.
On top of the new ban on free speech, the NCAA also announced the elimination of wedge blocks on kickoffs due to safety concerns. Basically, if two players on the receiving team are standing within two yards of one another, the receiving team is subject to a fifteen-yard penalty.
NCAA studies have shown that one in five injuries incurred on kickoffs are concussions. The NFL instituted the wedge ban last season.
“Everybody is looking to make sure we have a safe environment for the players,” said Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. “On kickoffs, you have a lot of steam on both sides and you usually have what is called a ‘wedge buster.’ This will eliminate some of that.”
Another rule change has also been approved, but will take effect until the 2011 season.
The NCAA will have what amounts to an extended taunting rule, with officials having the ability to take away a touchdown if taunting occurs on the field of play and before the player reached the end zone. Previously, the penalty in such a situation was tacked on the extra point or on the ensuing kickoff. Now, the score will be taken away and the penalty will be assessed at the spot of the taunt.
Well, at least they aren’t legislating the fun and spontaneity out of the game. That would suck.