While this certainly isn't the stated goal, one item in the latest batch of NFL rule change proposals would make professional football three degrees cooler.
The Kansas City Chiefs have proposed an amendment to Rule 5, Section 1, Article 2, which prohibits any player that's not a quarterback, kicker or punter from wearing a single-digit number.
Should the proposal pass, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, H-backs, defensive backs and even linebackers would be eligible for single-digit numbers. Defensive linemen, sadly, would still be prohibited. (Sadly, the number 0 would still be off limits for all players.)
Single-digit numbers have become incredibly common on skill players at the high school and college levels, and soon those players who required to change numbers once they enter the NFL may no longer have to do so.
Elsewhere, the Philadelphia Eagles again proposed replacing the onside kick with a 4th-and-15 play from the offense's 25-yard line.
The Ravens proposed changing overtime to a sudden death format, eliminating overtime in preseason, and adding an eighth official who would be positioned "somewhere other than the playing field."
Proposals will be voted on at the upcoming league meetings.
View the full list here:
2021 Playing Rule Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 16, to eliminate overtime in the preseason.
2. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 6, Section 1, Article 3, for one year only, to establish a maximum number of players in the setup zone.
3. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 12, Section 2, Article 4, to expand the prohibition on blocking below the waist by offensive and defensive players on scrimmage downs when contact occurs beyond five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage and more than two yards outside of either offensive tackle, by Competition Committee.
4. By Competition Committee, Coaches Subcommittee, and Baltimore; to amend Rule 15, Section 3, Article 9, and Rule 19, Section 2, to permit the Replay Official and designated members of the Officiating department to provide certain objective information to the on-field officials.
5. By Chicago; to amend Rule 11, Section 3, Article 3, to ensure the enforcement of all accepted penalties committed by either team during successive Try attempts.
6. By Los Angeles Rams; to amend Rule 8, Section 1, Article 2, to add a loss of down for a second forward pass from behind the line and for a pass thrown after the ball returns behind the line.
7. By Kansas City Chiefs; to amend Rule 5, Section 1, Article 2, to expand jersey number options for certain positions.
8. By Baltimore and Philadelphia; to amend Rule 16, Section 1, to change the options for winner of an overtime coin toss, and create a true sudden death format.
9. By Baltimore; to amend Rule 16, Section 1, to change the options for winner of an overtime coin toss, eliminate sudden death format, and eliminate overtime in the preseason.
10. By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 6, Section 1, Article 1, to permit a team to maintain possession of the ball after a score by substituting one offensive play (4th and 15 from the kicking team’s 25-yard line) for an onside kickoff attempt.
11. By Baltimore; to amend Rule 19, Section 1, Article 1, to add an eighth official who is positioned somewhere other than the playing field, with full communication to on-field officials and access to a television monitor.
2021 Bylaw Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; to amend Article XVIII, Section 18.1 of the Constitution and Bylaws to prohibit clubs participating in the playoffs from signing players waived and terminated by clubs whose seasons have concluded.
2. By Competition Committee; to amend Article XII, Section 12.4 of the Constitution and Bylaws to require clubs to submit tryouts and visits to the League office throughout the entire year; however, such transactions will only be reported to clubs from the start of training camp through the conclusion of the Super Bowl, unless it is with a Restricted or Unrestricted Free Agent.
2021 Resolutions Proposals Summary
G-1. By Buffalo; to amend the Anti-Tampering Policy, for one year only, to require all clubs and personnel interviewing for available Head Coach and Coordinator positions to operate under the same time frame for the hiring process.