The NFL has applied a red light to its proposed “yellow card” rule.
Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters on Tuesday that the NFL has tabled the Competition Committee’s idea to automatically eject players who rack up a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in the same game. Mara said that extensive opposition emerged to the rule, prompting it to be set aside. He added that it could resurface at some point.
Even without a two-strikes situation, the NFL will be instructing officials to exercise more aggressively their discretion to eject players. However, officials continue to be reluctant to make heat-of-the-moment decisions that could impact the competitive balance.
The better approach could be to defer to the normal post-game disciplinary process, especially since fines and suspensions imposed after the fact are subject to an appeal process.