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NFL player tackled by single dreadlock - and it's perfectly legal

Houston Texans defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney made a perfectly legal tackle when bringing down Buffalo Bills running back Chris Ivory on Sunday afternoon (local time).

It just looked incredibly painful.

Ivory took a handoff early in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium in Houston before breaking out to the left side of the field.

Clowney was the first one there, and attempted to bring him down.

The perfectly legal tackle. Image: NFL
The perfectly legal tackle. Image: NFL

As Ivory was about to slip through his hands, Clowney reached out.

He grabbed a hold of Ivory’s dreadlock and yanked him down that way.

According to NFL rules, any hair that is out of the helmet is considered part of a player’s uniform, making it a legal tackle.

Now, it doesn’t seem there are any hard feelings. Clowney helped him up right after, and Ivory laughed about it later.

Chris Ivory (33) with his dreads flowing. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Chris Ivory (33) with his dreads flowing. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Still, Ivory’s lucky his dreadlock wasn’t ripped right out of his head.

And if his hair was shorter, well, he may have just gotten away.

The Texans beat the Bills 20-13. Clowney now has seven tackles for a loss this season. Ivory had six carries for five yards in the loss.

Ryan Young – Yahoo Sports