NFL Rule Changes Approved, Flag Football League News

(Palm Beach, FL) — A number of rule changes were passed at the N-F-L Owners Meetings in Palm Beach. Teams will now start with the ball placed on the 35-yard line instead of the 30 after a touchback on the kickoff. Each team will be allowed one possession of the ball in overtime, even if the first team scores a touchdown. The period was also shortened to 10 minutes in the regular and post season. Replay assist was expanded, teams can wear alternate uniforms up to four times a year, a third game has been added to Christmas Day, and the chain gang has been replaced with Hawk-Eye technology.

(Undated) — Professional flag football could be right around the corner. According to E-S-P-N, ten groups have submitted bids to the N-F-L to become investors in new men’s and women’s professional flag football leagues. That round of bids will reportedly close this week. N-F-L commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday that there is a lot of interest in the development of pro flag football leagues and he expects there will be progress soon. The N-F-L counts more than 750-thousand participants in its N-F-L flag football league nationwide, with all 32 franchises also sponsoring their own leagues.