Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear certainly sees the benefits of the NFL’s newly instated kickoff rule. But much like the overwhelming majority of players, he’s not receiving it well.
Blackshear, as part of Monday’s offering from Augusta Stone of Panthers.com, stated he already spoke about the change with special teams coordinator Chris Tabor—who apparently isn’t feeling it either.
“Coach Tabor told me I better never fair catch it,” Blackshear said. “So I have no plans on fair catching the ball at all. It’s a rule to help people out; definitely going to decrease the chances of concussions and stuff. But me personally, I’m not fair catching.”
In the league’s ongoing effort to limit high-impact injuries, the rule will allow for returners to call for a fair catch on kickoffs caught between the goal line and the 24-yard line. If the returner opts for the fair catch within said area, the ball will be placed at his team’s 25-yard line to begin the ensuing drive.
While the decision is a logical step in the right direction for safety measures, Blackshear also believes the rule will hurt some players’ chances of making an NFL roster. The second-year back—who fielded a team-high 19 kickoff returns in 2022—was able to stick on with Carolina this past season thanks, in part, to his special teams abilities.
So Blackshear, who isn’t a shoo-in to make this year’s 53-man group, doesn’t plan on slowing his game down.
“When we sat down and talked, he gave me some good tips about it,” he said. “Told me that (the rule) is going to help some people, but said you’re a tough running back, so I’ll expect you to run it back.”
