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NFL Could Ban Hair Flowing Out of Helmets

Posted Mar 21st 2008 10:06AM by Michael David Smith

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is known as much for the long hair that goes halfway down his back as for anything else. But Polamalu and other NFL players may soon be banned from exposing long hair on the field.

Adam Schefter reported on NFL Network that the NFL's competition committee is considering a rule that would bar a player from wearing his hair long enough on the field to obscure his name on the back of his jersey. Players like Polamalu and Jaguars cornerback Rashaen Mathis would either need to get a haircut or figure out a way to stuff all that hair in their helmets throughout a game.

According to Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs proposed the rule change, perhaps motivated by the incident in October 2006, when Chiefs running back Larry Johnson pulled Polamalu's hair to drag him down from behind -- which is legal -- and then held onto the hair after both players hit the ground, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Schefter reports that the Chiefs have argued that the hair requirement should be enforced as a uniform violation, similar to the league's requirements that players wear their socks a certain way. But there's also some support for the rules change from league insiders who believe it's unsafe to have players running around with hair hanging out their helmet.

The 32 teams are expected to vote on the proposed rules change at the league meeting at the end of the month.

Latest NFL Photos

** FILE ** Denver Broncos placekicker Jason Elam looks on before playing the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game in Denver in this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo. Elam, who became a free agent at the end of last season, has agreed to terms on Friday, March 21, 2008, to kick for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL season. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

AP
** FILE ** Denver Broncos placekicker Jason Elam, back, kicks a field goal with the help of holder Todd Sauerbrun against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Denver in this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo. Elam has agreed to terms on Friday, March 21, 2008, to kick for the Atlanta Falcons durinG the 2008 NFL season. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

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Seattle Seahawks president Tim Ruskell, left, looks on as linebacker Lofa Tatupu speaks at the press conference announcing Tatupu's contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season on Friday, March 21, 2008 in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

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Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, right, talks about linebacker Lofa Tatupu, left, during a news conference announcing Tatupu's contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season Friday, March 21, 2008, in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu smiles at the press conference announcing his contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season on Friday, March 21, 2008 in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu, left, smiles as he shakes hands with head coach Mike Holmgren at the press conference announcing Tatupu's contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season on Friday, March 21, 2008 in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

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New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss gets emotional after being presented with a U.S. Postal Service envelope with his likeness, at the West Virginia Cultural Center in Charleston, W.Va., Friday, March 21, 2008. Moss is the third West Virginia athlete to be on a special Postal Service envelope. The others were Los Angeles Lakers' Jerry West and gold-medal Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton. (AP Photo/Bob Bird)

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New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss gets emotional after being presented with a U.S. Postal Service envelope with his likeness, at the West Virginia Cultural Center in Charleston, W.Va., Friday, March 21, 2008. Moss is the third West Virginia athlete to be on a special Postal Service envelope. The others were Los Angeles Lakers' Jerry West and gold-medal Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton. (AP Photo/Bob Bird)

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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu smiles during a news conference announcing his contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season, Friday, March 21, 2008, in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

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Former Vanderbilt quarterback and current Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler throws to receiver Earl Bennett for NFL scouts in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 21, 2008. Cutler returned to Vanderbilt to help his former teammate Bennett prepare for the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Sorry, No Photos

Tags: Larry+Johnson, LarryJohnson, Rashaen+Mathis, RashaenMathis, Troy+Polamalu, TroyPolamalu

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)

3-21-2008 @ 11:23AM

Scott M said...

Great idea, so annoyed with that look. It's feminine, it's gangsta, it's just wrong. But then again, one of my favorite moments ever was when LJ tackled Troy Poo Poo by his extensions !

3-21-2008 @ 11:30AM

Get a life, bitches! said...

Hair has never been a problem.

Just another way to exercise some control over the players. And the self-righteous irrelevant fans amongst us will think it such a noble idea, whining about how they have those type of restraints at their "real" jobs.

Too predictable.

3-21-2008 @ 1:02PM

Yankees Chick said...

ug! I hate these petty rules. That goes for my Yankees, too.

3-21-2008 @ 1:25PM

mbyte84 said...

Finally!
It'd be stupid to ban hair flowing out of the helmet, but the length should be limited to no longer than the beginning of one's name. The player's name should at no point be obscured by their du.

3-21-2008 @ 1:39PM

LB said...

Translation: We want all the minorities to look a certain way because the white fans that support the sport would probably like it that way.

It's a good business move, but they are trying to sell it as an on the field issue.

3-21-2008 @ 3:14PM

PacoGerte said...

Nice racial paranoia, LB. The NFL hates minorities. That's why all of the league's players are white.

It would be a good rule if somehow long hair affected ticket sales, but it doesn't. What's next, a rule on tatoos?

3-21-2008 @ 5:25PM

Angelia said...

Some Cultures have a thing about short hair. The Polynesian and American Indians to be exact, so get over it. Just another excuse to put them under the thumb of the NFL

3-21-2008 @ 5:30PM

tobrien28 said...

Such a dumb rule. What does covering the name have to do with anything? The number is what is important for calling penalties, etc. It doesn't affect the game. I like the rule against TD celebrations, but this is just dumb.

3-21-2008 @ 6:01PM

Edgar Brown said...

It's just a simple thing. Put the name down lower than their hair on the Jersey. SIMPLE!!!!!

3-21-2008 @ 6:07PM

daddynik said...

OMG....so they have to cut their hair...This is neither a racial issue or an attempt to have more ticket sales from "white fans". Not everything has to be a racial issue people. Its dangerous, as someone CAN be dragged down from behind by their hair and they could blow out a knee or ankle....just like the horse collar tackle from behind is now illegal for the same reasons. And LB..you idiot..did you just say all of the leagues players are white? What games are you watching?

3-21-2008 @ 6:45PM

Mac said...

What's the big deal on the hair? Just to see a players name? Some college football teams don't even have a players name.. Let the NFL do something smart for a change like finding a way to prevent concusions or at least minimize them.

3-21-2008 @ 7:41PM

BlueStarDude said...

1. The NFL needs fewer rules, not more.

2. Don't they know that Troy Polamalu is the favorite player of five-year-olds everywhere BECAUSE of his hair. Hey, NFL, that's your future fan base!

3-21-2008 @ 9:06PM

ciawhite2006 said...

When New England started Samuel, I was so happy to have a girl on the team. Then Maroney made a second one. Their hair separates them and makes them distinguishable amongst an otherwise huge crowd of white players. Long hair is way too dangerous, if a starter gets benched because of a hair related injury, it is a loss for the entire team. Like with any business, the owners will make the call on this one.

3-22-2008 @ 12:52AM

houchens said...

Hey, if a player wants to wear long hair outside the helmet and, as a consequence, gets dragged down by his hair, well, that's the cost of long hair!!!!

3-22-2008 @ 5:41AM

Amy said...

I am all for them doing something with their hair! They dont have to cut it...just tuck it!! In one of their playoff games the Jags player was ruled out of bounds because his HAIR went out!!!

3-22-2008 @ 12:15PM

Bill Walters said...

HUH

15. I am all for them doing something with their hair! They dont have to cut it...just tuck it!! In one of their playoff games the Jags player was ruled out of bounds because his HAIR went out!!!