NFL owners to vote on rule changes May 28
Each year, the NFL looks at potential new rules to be adopted into the league. With the NFL trying to start the 2020 season on time, owners are considering several rule changes.
The league's competition committee had already determined that the one-year rule that allowed replay review of pass interference penalties would not be proposed to continue for another year. However, an idea that came from the committee's talks last year is being considered again in 2020.
The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers have both proposed the addition of a booth umpire, also known as a sky judge, as an eighth game official. Those two teams also have proposed the addition of a senior technology advisor to the referee to assist the officiating crew.
As Judy Battista of NFL.com writes, "The competition committee sent a report to teams last month, in which it stated support for further analysis of on-field officials being assisted by officiating personnel who would have access to a video feed. The officiating department is working with on-field officials to figure out how video feeds could assist them. So, even if owners do not pass either of the new proposals outright next week, it is likely a version of some kind of addition to the officiating crew could be tested in the preseason for possible further implementation."
The other interesting proposal involves an alternative to the onside kick. The Philadelphia Eagles proposed a rule change that would allow the trailing team to keep possession of the ball after scoring by successfully converting a fourth-and-15 play from its own 25-yard line, which could be done a maximum of twice per game.
Owners will vote on these rules during a May 28 virtual meeting.
View iconic photos from the all-time series between the Giants and their 2020 opponents.
Eli Manning tells Class of 2020 to embrace the awkwardness of life
As part of iHeartMedia's campaign "Commencement Speeches for the Class of 2020," Eli Manning gave a genuine and wholehearted 11-minute address to graduates who did not get to experience an on-site graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biggest message Manning offered the Class of 2020? Embrace the awkwardness of life.
"You see, I don't mind being in awkward situations or doing things I don't necessarily want to do,'' Manning said. "Like becoming the Giants backup quarterback after winning two Super Bowls and walking away with the MVP. Embracing awkward is worth cultivating, because life, like this graduation, rarely goes as planned.''
During his speech, the legendary Giants quarterback discussed different situations that were difficult for him to traverse, such as his many trips visiting sick children in hospitals.
"At some point everybody should walk into a hospital's pediatric cancer floor,'' he said. "It certainly puts life in perspective. Believe me, I've squirmed through these situations more times than I can count and despite my own discomfort it lifted their spirits and put a smile on their face just because I was there for them.''
As for dealing with the situation and uncertainty that the entire world is currently facing, Manning delivered a powerful message to the graduates, reminding them to not let today's difficulties overpower tomorrow's possibilities.
"What would you do if you weren't afraid?" Manning asked. "No one can vaccinate themselves against the unknown. No matter what the near future looks like, your life can only be diminished if you allow it to be. No one else can quarantine the memories, friendship or wisdom you've accumulated in the past four years. Don't downgrade your dreams to fit today's halting reality. Don't let the new normal be an excuse for standing in place. It is up to you not to become the class that never was.
"If you haven't already, it's time to discover your own unique grade of rocket fuel and to blast off. Trust yourself. Your future trajectory is up to you.''
The other celebrities that participated in iHeartMedia's campaign included Hillary Clinton, John Legend, Tim McGraw and Bill and Melinda Gates.
The evolution of the Giants' uniform
Over the last few months, seven teams across the NFL have unveiled changes to their uniforms for the 2020 season. These changes range from small tweaks to completely new jerseys, while two teams even adopted new logos.
Here are the new uniforms:
The Giants are not one of the NFL's seven teams to sport new jerseys or logos in 2020. However, the Giants' uniform has undergone some big changes over the years.
Check out the evolution of the Giants' uniform below.
Check out the evolution of the New York Giants' uniforms through the years.