The Canadian Football League rules committee introduced a new penalty that is a welcome one.
In 2019, the committee would like players who embellish contact or fake injury to be penalized 10 yards. We see embellishment penalties in hockey, of course.
The fact that this penalty is necessary in football may be a sad state on the mindset of players, but here we are.
In a day and age of player safety being the No. 1 focus for the league, to have players faking injuries or pretending to be shot by a sniper when they get a jersey tugged on does a disservice to the players who suffered concussions and other major injuries.
B.C. kicker Ty Long showed some of the worst of professionalism in 2018 by faking injuries when being contacted, but there are receivers who embellish contact as well.
Like a few years ago when the rules committee pushed to have players penalized when they cry for penalties, there will likely be a few more penalties early in the year.
However, it led to less crying about penalties as the season wore on. This rule will have the same impact and we’ll get to see fewer players embarrassing themselves and their teams as the season progresses.