The NFL Outlawed The Head Slap In 1977. Deacon Jones Had Already Retired.

Deacon Jones played defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams from 1961 to 1971, then for the San Diego Chargers and Washington. His signature move was the head slap: an open hand to the side of the blocker's helmet at the start of the rush.

Jones said the point was to give himself an initial head start on the pass rush, an extra step. He did not invent it, but he made it famous.

Outlawed in 1977

Jones played his last season in 1974. In June 1977 the NFL outlawed the defensive head slap, as the Chicago Tribune reported on June 16, 1977. The change is still known as the Deacon Jones rule. Jones later told the New York Times that when he left the game, they outlawed it.

What the rulebook says now

Rule 12, Section 2, Article 14 (d) prohibits striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head or neck of an opponent with the wrist, arm, elbow or hand. A defensive player may still contact the head, neck or face of an opponent with the palm of his hand to ward him off at the line of scrimmage, as long as it is not a repeated act against the same opponent during any one contact.

The penalty is 15 yards. When the defense commits it, it is also an automatic first down, and a flagrant foul can get the player disqualified.