12 things: The new NFL OT rule

In the case of the NFL's new overtime rule, never has such a small, simple -- but much needed -- change taken so much time and caused so much debate. I found that out for myself recently while reporting my story in the current New Year New Rules issue of ESPN The Magazine on the process of how an idea becomes a rule in the conservative, and sometime convoluted, inner-workings of the NFL.

Starting on Jan. 8 in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs, instead of ending an overtime game, a field goal on the opening possession of OT will merely extend the contest. Although a touchdown by either team, at any time, wins the game, if the teams trade field goals, then the next team to score wins.

Confused?

Wait until Bill Belichick follows a field goal in overtime in the AFC Championship Game by recovering an onside kick. (Game over.)

Anyway, while I was reporting for my story in The Mag, I spent hours interviewing folks on different sides of the Rule 16 debate.

Here are 12 outtakes from those discussions:

To read more about how the new NFL overtime rule came to pass, how it will affect the players and the debates that surrounded it, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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David Fleming | email

ESPN The Magazine

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• Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine FlemFile columnist for ESPN.com.
• Has written more than 30 cover stories for SI and ESPN.
• Author of "Noah's Rainbow" (a father's memoir) and "Breaker Boys" (stolen 1925 NFL title).