By Bill Bradley, contributing editor
Editor's note: This is the last in a four-part series looking back at the four player health and safety rules that were approved at the NFL Annual Meeting last year. The 2014 meeting begins Sunday in Orlando with more safety-related rules scheduled to be discussed.
The RULE: The requirement to wear leg and thigh pads for all players.
What the rule changed: It required all players to wear pads on the legs and thighs.
Why the change was made: For decades, players have been balking at wearing leg pads because they thought the pads were slowing them down.
How it would affect player safety: In the era of safety initiatives, the NFL is re-emphasizing leg padding to cut down on minor and major leg injuries. The NFL decided not to allow players to enter the field without them, requiring the uniform inspectors at every game to make violators ineligible to enter games until they comply. NFL officials said fines would be levied for players who did not comply.
The impact: Despite the cries of many, there were no reports of players being held out of games for violating the rule. And an NFL memo earlier this year told the health committee that leg injuries held last season despite calls by players that they have to hit low because of fines on head hits.
