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The key is that the tackler has to actually grab the collar. Whether that is just the jersey or the jersey and shoulder pads is immaterial. The reason is the amount of leverage they can generate to yank a player down and buckle his knees. Protecting the player's knees is why this is illegal. It's harder to get as much leverage to pull the player down if they don't have a grasp on the collar itself, which is why a pull down by grabbing the back of the jersey but not the collar, is not a foul.
And this isn't even in the same league as face guarding in basketball. This is a safety foul and should be called every time.
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Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. - Will Rogers
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