Several people are upset that Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Everson Griffen wasn’t flagged for a horse-collar tackle on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the end of the game Sunday, but it was indeed the right no-call.
Per NFL rules, it is still legal to horse-collar a quarterback while he is in the pocket.
In March of 2012, the Steelers unsuccessfully proposed a rule change at the owner’s meetings that would have made it illegal to take down a quarterback in the pocket by the back of his shoulder pads or inside collar of his jersey.
“I still think there’s hope we’ll get it passed at some point,” Rooney said at the time. “I think this one kind of snuck up on them. If we can get the competition committee — at least some members of the competition committee — to take it seriously, then there’s a chance.”
Below is an animated gif of the play. As you can see, guard Kelvin Beachum and tackle Mike Adams were beat by a tackle/end stunt and that is the thing that should upset Steelers fans the most right now. The referees got this one right.
