Who knew? Football allows punches to the mouth

Some rule-changes apparently escape our attention until they're firmly part of the football culture.

For instance, did you know football players are allowed to hit opponents in the mouth?

Oklahoma defensive end Geneo Grissom, after the Sooners lost to Texas Saturday “They hit us right in the mouth and we didn't react fast enough."

Northwestern linebacker Damien Proby, before the Wildcats were walloped at Wisconsin, 35-6: "We're excited for the opportunity to go and take somebody's house. Hit somebody in the mouth every single play on their home field."

LSU guard Trai Turner after the Tigers' 17-6 win over Florida: "We just went out there and played an SEC football game where you hit each other in the mouth and the best man wins."

It's even the case in high school football, and maybe even more so. Take Salem's 47-14 punchout of Christianburg in Virginia on Friday night:

"Nobody's hit them in the mouth all season," said Salem offensive tackle Alex Light, "so we came up here with a game plan to hit them right in the mouth."

Metea Valley decked East Aurora, 52-28, in Illinois on Friday evening, but had to come from behind to do it.

"They were coming off a big win, it was their homecoming and we knew they'd come out strong, and they punched us in the mouth," said Metea Valley tailback Bryson Oliver.

Naturally, the same applied in Texas, even in a town called Flower Mound.

“This week we really focused on hitting people in the mouth, not being nice anymore," said Flower Mound Marcus sophomore running back Nate Hopkins.

And, there was punching to the face in Alabama, as unbeaten Bob Jones High kayoed Sparkman, 51-16 in Madison.

“They got a lot of experienced guys and we got hit in the mouth and didn't respond," said Sparkman Coach Tim Gillespie.

You've got to punch back instead of turn the other cheek, as Trinity Catholic High in Connecticut learned Saturday in its 42-14 loss to Foran High.

"They punched us in the mouth right from the start and we didn't punch back," said Trinity Catholic Coach Donny Panapada. "In the second half we finally punched back."