Clay Matthews roughing the passer NFL
Start writing a post
Sports

Clay Matthews' Hit Was Legal, The NFL Is Becoming Too Soft For Its Own Good

It will not bode well for the league if it continues these rules.

60
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB_aQRnkGDw/?taken-by=claymatthews52
Instagram

The Green Bay Packers are leading late in the game. The Minnesota Vikings have the ball and look to tie the game. Clay Matthews forces his way through the offensive line and hits the Quarterback after he released the ball. The ball is intercepted, and it seems the Packers have sealed the victory. But wait! There is a flag? Clay Matthews is penalized for roughing the passer and the play is erased. The Vikings drive the ball down and tie the game. The game ends in a tie. People review the hit from Clay Matthews and millions are upset. A penalty that should never have been called, made the game end in a tie. This type of hit was weak. Any other year, and there would be no call. But the NFL is becoming weak. There is such a push for safety, that they are ruining the game. It's great they are trying to protect players, but the lack of consistency and the types of mistakes that will cause a team to miss a win is concerning. The NFL is becoming too soft.

Of course, I am biased because I am a Packers fan, but every fan can agree, that call was bullshit. It was quite obvious that Clay Matthews did not hit him too late, and he even tried to lift his body off the ground to lower the impact to the quarterback. This mistake from the refs cost the Packers a win. It will mean something come playoff time, and mistakes like this are horrific for the league. There were dozens of hits like that against Aaron Rodgers that are never called. For this penalty to come at such a crucial time is sickening. Just thinking about this call makes me ill.

Clay was called in week 1 for roughing the passer. It could have gone 50/50 so I moved on. Week 2 comes along and we see this garbage. I become stunned and wonder what the NFL had become. But it gets worse. Week 3 comes along and Clay Matthews is called for the same penalty again. When I watched it in real time I laughed. My eyes could seriously not believe that the same call was made in three straight games, to the same player. Clay sacked the quarterback and apparently landed on the QB too hard. I was in such a fit of rage I had to laugh. We ended up losing the third game. We lost for many reasons, but this was the main one. The Packers are 1-1-1 and we have to partially blame the league.

The lack of consistency around the league has caused players to be afraid to hit. Nobody wants a 15-yard penalty, so players don't go as hard. With this, comes weaker defenses. This then causes good teams to lose because of weak rules. Take for instance the Dolphins defensive end William Hayes. This man sacked the Raiders quarterback, and while sacking him, tried to lessen the impact, which caused him to tear his ACL. This man needs surgery, misses the entire year, and can't do what he loves because he was afraid of hitting the quarterback too hard. This is the NFL. There will be hard hits. You have to accept it, and if you can't then stop playing football.

Players are getting hurt, losing football games, and breaking the hearts of millions of fans all because of shitty NFL rules. Things need to change. If the NFL continues its ways, viewership will drop more than it already is. The league needs to become consistent. Either every hit is unacceptable, or every hit is acceptable. Stop picking and choosing and be consistent.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38603
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23007
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949443
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126690
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments