Roy Williams Suspended One Game For Third Illegal ‘Horse Collar’ Tackle Of Season

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Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams has been suspended without pay for one game after committing his third illegal “horse collar” tackle of the season, the NFL announced today. NFL Director of Football Ops Gene Washington issued the suspension, which will sideline Roy for the Cowboys’ game at the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night (December 22) on NFL Network.

Grabbing the inside collar of the back of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling down the runner is a 15-yard personal foul penalty. Roy was penalized for making such a tackle against Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb in Sunday’s game in Dallas.

It was the fourth violation of this rule by Roy in the past two seasons which leads me to say, simply, “Duh!” I believe Roy either a.) doesn’t get it or b.) doesn’t care. He was fined $12,500 for an illegal “horse collar” tackle against the Chicago Bears on September 23 and $15,000 for the same violation against the Buffalo Bills on October 8. He received a $10,000 fine for a “horse collar” tackle against the New York Giants on October 23, 2006.

The “horse collar” rule was adopted because of Roy Williams and prior to the 2005 season to protect player safety in open field tackling. It does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket.