Intentionally initiating helmet to helmet contact in the referee's judgment is a penalty. It's a penalty whether it's the initiation comes from the offensive or defensive player.
Here's the actual rule as written:
Quote
if a player illegally launches into a defenseless opponent. It is an illegal launch if a player (1) leaves both feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into his opponent, and (2) uses any part of his helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/”hairline” parts) to initiate forcible contact against any part of his opponent’s body."
Countess didn't leave both feet or spring "upward." He did not "use" his helmet to "initiate forcible contact" either. He kept his feet, went low (downward) and used his shoulder to initiate forcible contact. The meeting of helmets was entirely incidental and as much initiated by Goodwin as Countess.
Clean hit. Shouldn't be a penalty and certainly shouldn't be a suspension.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2018 10:37AM by 9er8er.
