NFL Institutes 'Hines Ward' Rule After Broken Jaw

NFL owners have passed four player safety rules for next season. The changes came Tuesday at the NFL meetings in California.

Channel 11 sports director John Fedko reported that one of those rules is a direct result of a hit Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward made on a Cincinnati Bengal.

Last season, Ward broke the jaw of Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers. Ward was upset because he said he didn't know what was legal or illegal.

One of the new rules state that the initial force of a blindside block can't be delivered by a helmet, forearm or shoulder to an opponent's head or neck. An illegal blindside block will bring a 15-yard penalty.

Initial contact to the head of a defenseless receiver also will draw a 15-yard penalty.

On kickoffs, no blocking wedge of more than two players will be allowed.

Also, the kicking team can't have more than five players bunched together pursuing an onside kick.