I'm probably in the minority, but I think the second rule is stupid. I accept others' opinions about them, but at the same time I don't understand the constant desire or need from our society to make sure everything is politically correct and fair for all audience members. If somebody wants to put a bible verse on their eye-black - let em. If they want to write "I love you, Dad." - let em. It doesn't hurt anybody. I can understand not having derogatory terms or language on eye-black, but people who complain about that kind of stuff really need to find better ways to live their lives.
And I can already see the taunting rule becoming an extremely volatile issue. If a qb throws up a hail marry, the wr catches it at the ten yard line and points into the crowd as he runs into the end zone to win the game, is that taunting? This rule is going to be extremely subjective and is going to be abused about as badly as roughing the quarterback is or helmet to helmet contact rulings.
I completely agree with you on the bold statement. I referee High School Football and both Iowa and Nebraska have similiar rules as stated above but I'll be touching the eye paint subject, celebrations, and equipment.
How does eye paint make a football player gain more of an advantage over another player? By placing a bible verse or a "I love you Dad" under their eye make them more athletic compared to the guy across the line of scrimmage? Does it allow a player to catch the ball better, run faster, tackle harder, etc?
Some people have debated that the eye makeup is a form of intimidation that draws a lot of attention to that player which is freaking stupid. A 6'6" 250lbs linebacker coming right at my 5'11" frame is intimidating enough so why would eye makeup be more intimidating IMO. Should they ban neck collars then because not only do they protect your neck from spinal injuries but placing your jersey over the neck collar gives the illusion that the player's frame is much bigger than what it already is. Could that be considered intimidating? They say the same thing about celebrations or taunting because that draws a lot of attention to that player and why they are cutting down on that by penalizing that player or team in a game by littering the field with yellow laundry.
I mostly referee High School games in Iowa and I've never thrown a flag for celebraions but taunting is a different story. I once played Football and know what its like to score a touchdown, make a sack, or get an interception so I know the type of emotions players go through. If the players are celebrating in the endzone after a touchdown I'll approach those players and tell them nice catch, nice run, or whatever and then tell them to go to their huddle. If a player if obviously taunting another player like flexing at another player, throwing the ball at a player after a great play or touchdown, or high stepping into the endzone as he's looking back at a defender than yes I have thrown a flag. I just hope that officals in the NCAA leauge can identify what a celebration is and what taunting is.
In Iowa players can't have a sleeve that covers their cleats and have to remove it before the start of the game. A guy that was in my Dads crew, his son bought cleats that had this sleeve but couldn't wear it and he was upset. He said the main reason why his son bought that type of cleat was to protect his ankles from spraining his ankle and other ankle injuries.
There are a lot of rules both in High School, College, and Pro nowadays that are being enforced that has been in the game for decades that made it enjoyable to play and spectate.
