Rules you probably didn’t know NFL players have to follow

Since its inception in 1920, watching football has been one of America’s favorite pastimes—but even the biggest fans of the game might be surprised by how many rules players have to follow. In fact, the NFL has often been called the “No Fun League.” A few rules pertaining to safety are obvious and necessary, while others—more focused on the league’s image—have been deemed unnecessary and over-the-top by viewers and commentators. From uniform codes and touchdown celebration crackdowns to practice schedule expectations, pretty much everything you see on (and in some cases, off) the field is heavily regulated. The moment kickoff happens, refs are monitoring every move closely to ensure players are abiding by the regulations. Here are just some of the rules you probably didn’t know football players have to follow.