NFL Rules Compliance | NFL Football Operations

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class="hero__bg--tint" style="background-color: rgba(54,66,77,0.35);"></div> </div> <div class="content"> <h1><span>NFL Rules Compliance</span></h1> <p><p>Ensuring that players and coaches conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game.</p></p> </div> </div> <div id="trigger"> <div aria-haspopup="true" class="social-share"> <h3>Share This Page</h3> <ul> <li><a class="share" href="#">Share</a></li> <li> <a class="facebook" href="#" data-method="feed" data-link="https://operations.nfl.com/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/nfl-rules-compliance/" data-picture="https://operations.nfl.com/media/6066/ap22010587349272-min.jpg?rxy=0.4591549295774648,0.19491525423728814&width=627&height=410&v=1d88025d6018a00&quality=85" data-name="NFL Code of Conduct" data-caption="League enforcement ensures that players conduct themselves in a way that honors football and respects the game.">Facebook</a> </li> <li><a class="twitter" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/share?text=.%40NFLFootballOps%20enforcement%20ensures%20that%20players%20conduct%20themselves%20in%20a%20way%20that%20honors%20football%20and%20respects%20the%20game.&url=https%3A%2F%2Foperations.nfl.com%2Finside-football-ops%2Frules-enforcement%2Fnfl-rules-compliance%2F">Twitter</a></li> <li><a class="email" href="mailto:?subject=NFL Code of Conduct&body=League enforcement ensures that players conduct themselves in a way that honors football and respects the game. https://operations.nfl.com/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/nfl-rules-compliance/">Email</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="subnav-inline-container "> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="category-container"> <span class="icon ops"></span> <h3><span>Rules Enforcement </span></h3> </div> <div class="subnav-container"> <div class="wrapper-dropdown"> <button id="subnav-dropdown">Explore This Section</button> <ul class="dropdown"> <li><a class="active" href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/nfl-rules-compliance/" title="NFL Rules Compliance"><span>NFL Rules Compliance</span></a></li> <li><a class="" href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/accountability-fines-appeals/" title="Accountability: Fines & Appeals"><span>Accountability: Fines & Appeals</span></a></li> <li><a class="" href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/gameday-accountability/" title="Gameday Accountability"><span>Gameday Accountability</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <div class="full-width"> <h5>Tens of millions of NFL fans watch games each week during the season. During each contest, the league’s world-class athletes conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game, their fellow players, the fans and the league.</h5> </div> <aside class="summary"> <h5>Story Highlights</h5> <ul> <li>All fine money collected goes to programs for former players, not to the NFL.</li> <li>The NFL and the NFLPA collectively bargain most rules and fines.</li> <li>Before each season, players are given a copy of the fine schedule and a clear explanation of rule violations and penalties.</li> </ul> </aside> <p>Occasionally, a player or coach's actions on the field may fall below the league’s expectations. On-field action is governed not only by the rules of play, but also by a code of conduct, established by the league and the NFL Players Association, that specifies the behavior that will not be tolerated and the minimum fines for each transgression.</p> <p>It’s the job of the compliance officers within NFL Football Operations to make sure that players adhere to this code and exhibit exemplary behavior during every one of the 334 total preseason, regular season and playoff games. In doing so, the compliance team helps to fulfill the NFL’s responsibilities to players, officials and business partners, as well as to the game’s young fans and their parents.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <h3>WHY Fines?</h3> <figure class="right-small"> <img alt="Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was fined $62,222 for the personal foul penalties and suspended for one game following a scuffle with New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore during the 2022 season. (AP/Kevin Sabitus)" src="/media/x4iipca4/ap22213616937150.jpg?mode=max&width=995"> <figcaption><p>Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was fined $62,222 for the personal foul penalties and suspended for one game following a scuffle with New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore during the 2022 season. (AP/Kevin Sabitus)</p></figcaption> </figure> <p>The Compliance Department’s jurisdiction covers player behavior on the field, including endangering a fellow player’s safety, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct and other acts that could be deemed “detrimental to the league.”</p> <p><strong>This code of conduct is not handed down from on high.</strong> It is not designed to take the fun out of the game or raise money for the league.</p> <p>Most rules and fines are the result of the collective bargaining process between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Before each season, every player receives a copy of the <a href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/accountability-fines-appeals/" title="Fine Schedule & Appeal Process">fine schedule</a>, which lists major infractions, the resulting minimum fines and the appeal process. Players sign a form acknowledging that they agree to follow the code of conduct and understand the violations and fines. The code protects players and officials, the game’s integrity and fairness, and the league itself.</p> <p>When feasible, the league gives players every opportunity to avoid a fine: The NFL communicates with players and teams year-round so they understand what the rules are, why they exist, what happens when they’re broken and how the appeals process works.</p> <aside class="info"> <p>Deeper Dive: Learn more about the <a href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/accountability-fines-appeals/" title="Fine Schedule & Appeal Process">NFL fine schedule</a></p> </aside> <p>The fines collected are donated to the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.yourpaf.com/" target="_blank">Professional Athletes Foundation</a><span> to support Legends in need and the </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nflfoundation.org/" target="_blank">NFL Foundation</a><span> to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game.</span></p> <p>Since 2011, about $4 million a year has been used to support these worthy causes.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <h3><span>CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT AND A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY</span></h3> <p>The rules exist for the good of the game, and complying with them is a shared responsibility.<strong> During the offseason, players receive clear instructions on violations and penalties.</strong> The NFL and its Compliance Department apply those rules consistently and fairly for all 32 teams and their players.</p> <p>Football Operations staff, including Executive Vice President Troy Vincent, Sr., personally visit players who have run afoul of the rules. They review the league’s expectations and offer advice on preventing future fines or suspensions. In many cases, players are shown videos of their past infractions and are told how to correct the behavior that resulted in the fine.</p> <aside class="info"> <p><span>“Above all else, the NFL’s role is to provide equity across our rules and competitive balance in the game.” </span></p> <p><span class="attribution"> Akil Coad, VICE PRESIDENT OF Compliance </span></p> </aside> <p>Infractions and accountability measures, such as fines, are specified to make sure that players maintain control of their emotions and exhibit the utmost sportsmanship. Fines are stiff for inappropriately confronting or contacting a game official. The league will not tolerate game action that may endanger the health and safety of players, including roughing the passer, horse-collar tackles or hits on defenseless players. Fighting is strictly prohibited. Using profanity, displaying gang signs and taunting opponents also will draw the league’s attention. The Compliance Department also protects all NFL business and licensing agreements and makes sure that uniforms are worn properly — with partners’ logos displayed and others covered or removed. (While players can use any equipment they like, the only logos that can be shown are those of the league’s official partners.)</p> <p><span>Every year, players and teams have the opportunity to provide feedback on rules and policies. Any that are believed to have had a measurable negative impact on the game or the players are re-evaluated, although player complaints and concerns may not get a rule changed. For example, when the league required all players to wear thigh and knee pads, there were many complaints before the season ranging from “It looks bad” to “It slows me down.” The league stuck to the rule; when players were surveyed on this and other topics at the end of the season, there wasn’t a single complaint about the thigh and knee pads.</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <h3><span>FINES: A LAST RESORT</span></h3> <p>The NFL makes sure that all players, teams and key staff know what constitutes a violation and what will lead to a fine or other accountability measures. Compliance officers communicate with teams that are being spotted too often for a particular foul, such as late hits. A coach can then work with the players to fix the issue and avoid additional fines.</p> <aside class="info"> <p><span>Learn more about the NFL's <a href="/gameday/pre-game/uniform-inspections/" title="Uniform Inspectors">uniform enforcement officials</a></span></p> </aside> <p>“We hold teams responsible for those violations as much as players when that happens,” said Akil Coad, the league’s vice president of compliance. In the case of uniform violations, players are given the opportunity to either change their gear or cover the logo of a company that isn’t an NFL partner.</p> <p><span><strong>“We don’t want to fine anybody,” Coad said, “and we actively try to prevent it.”</strong> The league employs two former players at each stadium to help address uniform issues before the game starts and to try to avoid implementing accountability measures.</span></p> <p></p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block article-half "> <div class="content"> <h3>FOR THE GOOD OF THE GAME</h3> <p>The NFL revises the code of conduct as needed to address trends that may be detrimental to the league.</p> <p>In an effort to protect quarterbacks from excessive injuries, the league redefined “illegal hits.” Initially, the number of fines for those hits spiked, but over time the number dropped as players adjusted to the change. NFL fines for illegal hits on quarterbacks have steadily declined since the changes went into effect in 2009.</p> <p>Fans don’t watch NFL games to track fines and suspensions; they tune in to see two teams leave it all on the field for 60 minutes. Contests marred by dangerous or unprofessional behavior take away from the greatness of the NFL and put players at risk of injury.</p> <p>The NFL and the NFL Players Association agree: Making sure players and staff conduct themselves in a manner that honors the game and safeguards it for future generations is a priority. This shared responsibility and commitment results in a great game, enjoyed by fans worldwide.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content-block related-content"><div class="content"> <div class="related-content-container clear"> <h2 class="header">Related Content</h2> <a class="related-content" href="/gameday/pre-game/uniform-inspections/"> <div class="image-container kenburns"> <img class="related-image scale" width="352" height="235" src="https://operations.nfl.com/media/x5jd2icx/hero-2024-25-uniform-inspectors.jpg?width=352&height=235&v=1db3451de069410&quality=85" alt="Uniform Inspections"> </div> <div class="title-container game"> <h3 class="title">Uniform Inspections</h3> <p>Protecting players and&nbsp;maintaining&nbsp;competitive equity on game days.</p> </div> </a>  <a class="related-content" href="/inside-football-ops/rules-enforcement/accountability-fines-appeals/"> <div class="image-container kenburns"> <img class="related-image scale" width="352" height="235" src="https://operations.nfl.com/media/1337/ap939055581595.jpg?rxy=0.2525,0.5280898876404494&width=352&height=235&v=1d02acd23bd1180&quality=85" alt="Accountability: Fines & Appeals"> </div> <div class="title-container ops"> <h3 class="title">Accountability: Fines & Appeals</h3> <p>The NFL/NFLPA's schedule of infractions and fines, and a process for appeal.</p> </div> </a>  <a class="related-content" href="/inside-football-ops/players-legends/player-health-safety/"> <div class="image-container kenburns"> <img class="related-image scale" width="352" height="235" src="https://operations.nfl.com/media/4yvjhw4z/player-health-and-safety-hero-2023.jpeg?width=352&height=235&v=1da0847b6c33e80&quality=85" alt="Player Health & Safety"> </div> <div class="title-container ops"> <h3 class="title">Player Health & Safety</h3> <p></p> </div> </a>  </div>  </div></div> <div class="content-block pagetop ops"> <div class="content"> <h3><a id="pagetop">Back to Top</a></h3> </div> </div> <div class="footer"> <div class="content"> <a href="/"> <img class="logo" src="/images/logo_nflops-lightbg300@2x.png" alt="NFL Football Operations Logo" style="width: 300px;"> </a> <ul class="footer-links"> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/#gameday--homepage-block">Gameday</a></li> <li><a href="/#learn-the-game-homepage-block">Learn the Game</a></li> <li><a href="/#officiating--homepage-block">Officiating</a></li> <li><a href="/#journey-to-the-nfl-homepage-block">Journey to the NFL</a></li> <li><a href="/#the-rules-homepage-block">The Rules</a></li> <li><a href="/#inside-football-ops-homepage-block">Inside Football Ops</a></li> <li><a href="/updates/">Updates</a></li> <li><a href="/search/">Search</a></li> </ul> <p class="intro-description"> NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. 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