After Quote by John Madden
“We need to let the referee's sole thing be to protect the quarterback and get those late hits out of there. They even have a stat on television that says 'knockdowns.' Knockdowns means that you knock him down after he throws the ball. The assumption is, if it's legal, we'll make excuses for them.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: NFL broadcast commentary, 2000s
Emphasizes protecting the quarterback and penalizing late hits, using stats like knockdowns to justify aggression
In simple terms: Protect QB, penalize late hits
Prioritize quarterback safety
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- coaching decisions
- game analysis
- rule enforcement
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How should rules balance aggression and safety?
- Are stats like knockdowns truly reflective of fair play?
Stat emphasis may overlook player health risks