If you’re a football purist and grew up watching Mel Blount and Jack Lambert, avert your eyes from this story.
Starting this year, hits like the one Ryan Shazier dished out on Gio Bernard in the Wild Card game will be illegal, according to Pro Football Talk. The rule change will eliminate the “angle” element from the equation. The old rule specified a player must “line up” and take a straight-forward angle while leading with the crown of his helmet to constitute and illegal hit. Starting in 2016, the angle will not matter.