NFL Standing Behind New Helmet-Lowering Rule Despite Messy Acclimation Period

In a conference call Wednesday afternoon, members of the NFL’s competition committee emphasized two points: inadvertent or incidental contact with the helmet or facemask is not a penalty, and seeing a player in the dangerous linear posture is not a penalty.

When the NFL’s competition committee convened Wednesday afternoon for one of its regularly scheduled conference calls, neither the catch-no catch rule nor the changes to the kickoff came up in conversation—both significant rule changes in the NFL this offseason. Rather, the conversation was dominated by the new helmet-lowering rule that has been the talk of the preseason.

For those who have complained about the rule: Get used to it,…