NCAA Is Getting Tougher

New rules and tougher penalties is what has evolved from a recent NCAA Rules Comittee meeting.

Taunting was a high priority on their list of things to do. By 2011 we could see a new taunting rule, making taunting a live ball foul.

What they are talking about is if a player is called for taunting as he moves down the field, the penalty is marked off from the point of infraction. Allowing for taking points of the board if the player scores.

There is no room for taunting in football, however football is a game of emotions and the taunting rule is so subjective.

Last season's big controversy stemmed from Georgia receiver A.J. Green receiving a 15-year personal foul penalty after he caught a go-ahead touchdown pass late in a game against LSU. The yardage from the penalty was assessed on the ensuing kickoff and helped LSU get into position to drive for the winning score.

Later the SEC would issue a statement saying there was no video evidence supporting the flag on Green.

Anyhow before this rule becomes law in college football the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel must approve the proposed change.

Addressing player safety issues, specifically conconcussions they endorsed a rule requiring all injured student-athletes, including those who exhibit signs of a concussion, to be cleared by an appropriate medical professional (as determined by the institution) before returning to competition.

Sounds sensible to me. Today's athletes are so much bigger, stronger and hit so much harder, anything that protects todays players must be considered.

Have you ever wondered what the numbers on the black out strips below the eyes meant? Wonder no more, the NCAA is addressing that issue and will ban the use of any strips that have writing on them. Only plain black strips will be acceptable in 2010.

They also addressed the burning issue of socks.Socks no longer have a length requirement, but must continue to be of the same color and general design.

The work of the NCAA is never done and is a thankless hard job that must be done to ensure the integrity of the game and the safety of student athletes. I am so relieved they got that sock issue resolved, it used to keep me up nights before a big game,wondering does my teams socks measure up?