With the NFL kicking off a new season, there are plenty of changes afoot in the official rulebook. While some of them will be unnoticeable even to die-hard football fans, let’s take a look at the major changes for the season.
For safety, players must wear their helmets at all times while on the field and sidelines, and for at least eight hours after the final whistle
Once per game, head coaches are allowed to trip an opposing player running down the sideline
Fans are no longer permitted to talk during critical moments in the game
In an effort to foster good sportsmanship, players are no longer allowed to cheer on their own team
Players are now required to feed and care for the tweeting birds that fly around their head following concussions
Punters must audibly moan every time they kick the football
Touchdown celebrations, while permitted, no longer result in additional points
Players caught using God to win games will be suspended for the season
Helicopter-based offensive schemes are now strictly forbidden
Players must now abide to tighter restrictions on hand-to-face contact against spouses
Teams expressly forbidden from using the same player twice in the same season
