Fake An Injury Get A Fine, NFL Cracking Down On Fake Injury Practice

American Football doesn’t want their players acting like a bunch of soccer players and that’s why the NFL on Wednesday announced that any team caught faking injuries will be fined, given suspensions and even possibly lose draft picks.

The announcement comes after several players and coaches admitted that faking injury is a common practice used to gain a competitive edge during games.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita told ESPN:

“I’ve been places where it has been (taught)” while adding, “They have a name for it and I’ve been places where it’s been pre-called. I’ve been places where it’s one player who has been designated. Maybe I’m getting everyone in trouble, but I’m just being honest.”

In a memo delivered to the NFL’s 32 teams they are reminded that while their is no actual rule against faking injuries it’s frowned upon.

The letter may have arrived after St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo alerted the league office on Tuesday that he suspected the Giants of faking injuries during their win over the Rams. St. Louis at the time was using a no-huddle offense meant to throw off the Giants defense, a strategy that was circumvented by fake injuries that stopped play on the field.

In the memo the league says:

“Going forward, be advised that should the league office determine that there is reasonable cause, all those suspected of being involved in faking injuries will be summoned promptly to this office … to discuss the matter. Those found to be violators will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action for conduct detrimental to the game.”

Given the history of cheating in the NFL I highly doubt a memo will stop this practice from occurring, players will simply point to old injuries that are hard to verify if questioned by the league.

Do you think the NFL’s front office made a wise decision by sending out a memo regarding faking injuries?