Reinstalling Instant Replay Zapped By Nfl Owners

Instant replay in the NFL died again Wednesday, the victim of a proposal that was so narrow it was nitpicked into defeat.

After a last-minute effort to resurrect it at the owners’ meeting in Palm Desert, Calif., 10 teams voted against bringing back replay for the first time since the 1991 season. Only seven votes were needed to defeat the proposal.

The most apparent reason for rejection centered on the loss of a timeout by the team requesting a replay.

The latest plan was similar to the system in effect from 1986-1991. But instead of having a replay official off the field decide it, the referee would make the decision after viewing a monitor on the field. And instead of unlimited replays determined by that official, coaches could make two challenges a game.

The 10 teams that voted no were Arizona, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Kansas City, both New York teams, Oakland and Tampa Bay.

In other news at the meetings, a rule was passed banning players from taking off their helmets while still on the playing field during games.

The rule was passed in an effort to reduce taunting and overexuberant celebrations. When a player removes his helmet after a play while he is still on the field - except during timeouts or between periods - a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be imposed.

At Charlotte, N.C., Mike McCormack, 66, officially retired as president of the Carolina Panthers. McCormack was hired by owner Jerry Richardson eight years ago to help bring an NFL franchise to the Carolinas.