DeAndre Hopkins questions NFL’s rules after shocking footage of Cardinals star getting tackled emerges

On Sunday, DeAndre Hopkins was playing for the Arizona Cardinals against the Minnesota Vikings when he suffered a severe head injury. He requested an explanation from the NFL over the lack of a penalty for their infraction. 

The Arizona wide receiver who caught the ball thrown by Kyler Murray in the end zone was the one who suffered the hit. In the third quarter, Murray attempted to convert a two-point pass by throwing a quick slant pass to Hopkins. 

Hopkins was in man coverage with Cameron Dantzler, but he was unable to intercept the pass that was thrown. When Harrison Smith hit Hopkins, who had just gotten the ball, Hopkins’ head immediately snapped to the side. Smith had leaned in for a hard helmet-to-helmet collision right after Hopkins had gotten the ball.

Hopkins wanted an explanation from the NFL after the game because there was no penalty on the play even though he had committed the infraction. Hopkins was exceptionally fortunate in that he could continue playing and did not appear to receive any injuries. In his second game back after serving a six-game PED suspension, he had a strong performance, recording 12 receptions for 159 yards and a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch.

Despite his team’s best efforts, they were unable to pull off the victory, as Minnesota came out on top, 34-26. Late in the third quarter, with the score tied at one possession apiece, the result of the game would have been different if a penalty hadn’t been called. The Cardinals had the opportunity to cut their lead to a field goal gap, and they were set up for another two-point attempt at the 1-yard line if there hadn’t been a flag. 

However, the play was called back because of a penalty. Despite this, they remained behind by five points, and Minnesota went on to win the game by a score of eight points. Hopkins did not sustain any injuries, but how many other receivers who had no control over the situation have we seen fail to recover from this? 

However, NFL officials judge what constitutes a punishment and what does not base on their own personal preferences. If you touch Tom Brady’s shoulder pad before he throws the ball, you will almost certainly receive a 15-yard penalty from the referee.

The NFL may penalize, suspend, or fine you for initiating violent helmet-to-helmet contact on an unarmed player, depending on whether the league and its officials decide to raise an alarm and review the footage. If the NFL is serious about putting an end to violent hits, then they need to level the playing field for everyone and reprimand the referees when they fail to call apparent dirty hits.

At the moment, particular athletes get preferential treatment. If you aren’t the GOATS, the face of the league, or even playing for the correct club that produces tonnes of money, then you are nothing more than a cog in the vast machine that is the NFL. If the National Football League (NFL) is serious about putting an end to these vicious hits, it must treat every hit the same and should be ashamed of the inconsistent way in which its officials conduct the game. 

On top of the obvious health hazards that a hit like Smith carries, the National Football League wants to legislate Smith out of the league. It makes perfect sense for Hopkins to try to find out what’s going on. He is currently holding his breath while awaiting a response from the NFL.

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