BC-FBN-MURPHY-COLUMN:PH — sports (950 words)
Not long after Jordan Mailata arrived at IMG Academy to begin the process of learning American football, the former rugby player from Australia noticed something strange about the way defenders were taught to tackle. During workouts and film sessions, he and fellow rugby convert Christian Scott Williamson would watch with equal parts confusion and concern as defenders launched themselves into ballcarriers like they were locked doors in an emergency: head lowered, shoulder following like a battering ram, arms often trailing behind.
“That’s not bleepin’ tackling,” Mailata said to Williamson.
Here’s a thought: maybe it.