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Seems like there are two components to this subject: 1) leading with the helmet, and 2) pummeling a defenseless player. Just sticking with #1 for now, seems to me that the problem in both college and the NFL is that they mostly only penalize when it's helmet-to-helmet contact, rather than the intent to lead with the helmet. Many times, though, the defender is leading with the helmet and then factors that are out of his control - like last split-second movement by the ball-carrier/receiver - determines whether it's actually helmet-to-helmet or helmet-to-some-other-part-of-the-body.
The solution: Penalize every player who leads with his helmet. Ejection followed by a two-game suspension. The NFL should sprearhead this effort so it trickles down to high school and lower (maybe it already does?). Zero tolerance for leading with the helmet, regardless of whether major, minor, or no contact with the helmet actually occurs.
As a sidebar, what strikes me is the different attitudes that the NFL vs NBA take on player safety. IMO, the NFL doesn't punish it enough, whereas the NBA punishes players for some really ticky-tacky stuff.
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