It appears that all defenders have to do is touch a players face mask and it’s a 15 yard penalty. On the other side of the ball you can have a RB like Henry basically take his hand and punch a defensive player in the face mask multiple times and everyone celebrates as beast mode. If a defender did that to a RB he’d be called for a 15 yard penalty.
I don’t know if it comes down to things like grabbing and twisting or if that offensive players are given more leeway .
As a former linebacker that really grinds my gears.
If a defensive player touches a facemask, it’s illegal hands to the face or a face mask flag, but they can punch us in the face with stiff arms all game. Running backs still chop block legally as well.
I think it comes down to the nfl wants high scoring games. Penalize the defense often, gets a lot of points. Points tend to be good for ratings and making more money.
Saw this on a reddit thread I think, but the answer is that the ball carrier does, in fact, get more leeway. They still can’t grab the facemask, but they are allowed to push the helmet away. All other offensive and defensive players are treated the same way.
On a side note. Do any of you guys remember when they used to distinguish between a 5 yard and 15 yard face mask penalty? … I just looked it up, they stopped calling the incidental 5 yarder in 2008.
Absolutely that should still be a rule. Incidental contact happens… Versus ripping the guys helmet off. Big difference. Should be separate fouls. Like running into the kicker and roughing the kicker are 2 different calls.
In my experience, it has more to do with the color of the helmet.
Haha love it bud. Exactly what I was referencing. Fun when people get my jokes. 
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