The NFL needs to take a stronger, and clearer, stand against helmet-to-helmet hits. These are what seems to cause the most severe concussion and neck injuries. Here are all of the NFL rules (paraphrased) relating to illegal use of the helmet. I believe in every case the following two statements apply:
- Incidental contact by the helmet against an opponent is not a foul.
- The player may be disqualified whenever the action is judged to be flagrant; otherwise, it’s a 15-yard penalty.
Unnecessary Roughness (Rule 12, Section 2, Article 6)
It is a foul if any player uses his helmet or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily.