Before the court of public opinion could get its hands on that topic, the NFL quietly slid that into the rule book for next season.
At least the league kept it quiet for a little while. Now the noise has shifted from "what is a catch?" to "how are players supposed to tackle?"
The change in the the catch rule was a favorable one. This rule might not be, especially when a star player gets ejected for breaking it. Several players are certainly against it.
There was a bit of an outcry from current and former players voicing their concern about the rule. They play the game a certain way and think that's the way it should always be. Sorry, Charlie.
Last season, there was a lot of support for Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier every time he made an appearance at a game after needing spinal stabilization surgery.
Shazier lowered his head trying to make a tackle against the Bengals. What was Shazier looking at when he was attempting the tackle? The ground. See what you hit. You're not tackling the ground. A fundamental part of the game that's lost on some players now.
If this rule had been in place, Shazier attempts a tackle in the proper way. Shazier makes the tackle, gets up and lines up for the next play. Instead, he didn't make the tackle, he didn't get up and won't play another down of football any time soon.
The NFL is trying to help keep the players on the field, but they don't seem to be in the mood to allow it.
And this rule isn't just for defensive players. No player is allowed to use his head to initiate contact, meaning it will protect ball carriers from themselves as well.
It shouldn't be too hard to follow. Keep your head up, lower your shoulder and hit. Peewee football players can even understand that. Surely the millionaire adults can too.
And this isn't making professional football softer.
Scientific studies are allowing us to learn more about the dangers of the game. The league is using that information to find solutions to the problem.
Tweaking the helmets will only help so much. Forcing players to play a smarter and safer way is the next step.
This way of thinking is good for everyone involved. The players will hopefully be concussed less often and spinal injuries won't occur.
And if the pro game is safer, it can trickle down to college, high school and youth football, possibly keeping the participation numbers up at the lower levels.
Plus, the NFL won't have to battle the current players in court 20 years down the line because of CTE.
The league is just looking out for its future while doing the same for its employees. It's still physical. It's still football. It's just a smarter, more fundamental way to play.
The NFL is using its head by not letting the players use theirs.