The NFL Banned The Horse-Collar Tackle In 2005. Now Buckled Knees Are Enough.

In May 2005, NFL owners voted 27-5 to ban the horse-collar tackle, where a defender grabs the back inside of a runner's shoulder pads and yanks him to the ground.

The first version was narrow

As adopted in 2005, the 15-yard penalty applied only if the tackle immediately brought the ball carrier down, and only if he was in the open field.

The nameplate was added in 2016

In March 2016 the league expanded the rule to cover a defender who grabs the jersey at the nameplate or above and pulls a runner toward the ground.

The rule today

No player shall grab the inside collar of the back or the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, or grab the jersey at the name plate or above, and pull the runner toward the ground.

• 01If the runner's knees are buckled by the action, it is a foul even if he is not pulled completely to the ground
• 02The direction the runner is pulled down does not matter
• 03It is a foul even if the defender does not pull him down immediately after grabbing the collar
• 04It does not apply to a runner in the pocket area or in close-line play