Welcome pro football fans to a new N.F.L. Sunday, on the first full day of games in the 2018 season, there were surprises: Some of the most routine tackles, for example, are now penalties. And there was confusion: A new rule designed to curb the dangerous use of a player’s helmet was applied irregularly and did not prevent a scary injury. The new rules that went into effect in this season’s opening week are the first of perhaps many steps as the N.F.L. desperately tries to moderate the most hazardous collisions in an intentionally violent sport.

Source: New York Times September 10, 2018 11:19 UTC