Removal of the helmet penalty

If the player removes the helmet from the opponent’s head, it’s dangerous. The referee stops the game immediately. The affected player must restore the protection equipment while the abuser’s team gets the 15-yard penalty. Two violations from the same abuser may end in disqualification. The regular penalization for that may even lead to a permanent ban.

The player can’t participate in the play if one part of the protective equipment is absent. The helmet is the most important of them. Performers can remove it only outside the field’s bounds or in the end zone while celebrating the touchdown. However, it can’t throw the protector because it is made of hard material. The NFL prohibited taking the helmet off even during the celebration.

The referees don’t call the penalty if the removal was accidental. Thus, the affected performer must stop the contact and stay behind the play. The play becomes dead immediately when the ball carrier leaves without the helmet. If the player doesn’t want to face the penalty for his team, he must sit for the next play.