Commissioner Roger Goodell has proposed a rule permitting the ejection of a player who commits a pair of personal fouls in the same game. Given the possibility that a pair of inadvertent facemask fouls could get a player booted early from a given game, this approach will require modification of the fouls that would trigger the two-strike treatment.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Competition Committee currently is looking at two possible categories of fouls that would trigger an ejection for two violations in the same game. The first category would consist of verbal abuse, taunting, and throwing a punch or a kick. The second category would be broader, with hits on defenseless players, impermissible use of the helmet, crown-of-helmet violations, roughing the passer, late hits, striking, kneeing, and kicking.
Last year, at least seven players had two or more personal fouls in the same game. By adopting a rule that would eject a player who commits two of the fouls within the category adopted by the league, the NFL would be hoping to modify behavior and ensuring that emotions will remain under control.
Eventually, the Competition Committee will make a proposal to the owners. If at least 24 agree, the change will be made at the league meetings later this month in Florida.