Can a NFL coach play in a game?

[nucci]

9 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

I thought this was somewhat interesting, and I’ve never seen this seriously discussed here. It’s been joked about having coaches come in during games as a substitute for poor play on the field, so I was legitimately curious to see if it has ever happened before. 

 

All I could find was this. 

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/11/29/nfl-declined-broncos-request-to-let-assistant-coaches-suit-up-and-play-qb/

 

As far as the league not allowing it, have they always never allowed it? Or has there been an instance where way back in the day, something like this has happened? 

if he's on the roster and under contract as a player, sure

[BuffaloRebound]

I’m sure the salary cap is a very large reason this could never happen.  ‘We’re signing Von Miller for $17m per year to be our assistant quality coach’

[Milanos Milano]

42 minutes ago, BuffaloRebound said:

I’m sure the salary cap is a very large reason this could never happen.  ‘We’re signing Von Miller for $17m per year to be our assistant quality coach’

This is probably reason number 1. But you think they would allow for some emergency contingencies. 

[Joe Mama]

 Don't tell Mike Tomlin about this

[Rico]

4 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

Sounds good, I’ve always wanted to see Andy Reid take a snap at running back. 

And run into Jack Tatum. 

[Buffalo716]

12 hours ago, holla83 said:

Wasn't Dan Reeves a player/coach at the end of his playing career with Dallas?

Dan Reeves finished off the 1972 season and then became an assistant

[holla83]

On 3/21/2022 at 3:28 PM, Buffalo716 said:

Dan Reeves finished off the 1972 season and then became an assistant

According to this article he was a player/coach for the last 3 years of his playing career. Tom Landry was grooming him to be an assistant coach once he retired from the field.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/remembering-cowboys-player-coach-dan-reeves

Edited March 22, 2022 by holla83

[Buffalo716]

49 minutes ago, holla83 said:

According to this article he was a player/coach for the last 3 years of his playing career...

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/remembering-cowboys-player-coach-dan-reeves

He's not listed as a coach on the 1970 team

 

he got hurt and was basically being transitioned to a player coach... Finally being named in 1972 when he retired

 

But those last two years he basically didn't play while just coaching... Like 80 carries in 3 years

Edited March 22, 2022 by Buffalo716

[Donuts and Doritos]

Curly Lambeau co-founded the Packers in 1919 & was a "player-coach" from 1920-1929 (played half back). Then continued just as a coach until 1949.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curly_Lambeau

[Supe]

Frederick Douglass “Fritz” Pollard was the first African-American NFL player/coach. During his pro football career the two-time Brown University All-America played and sometimes coached for four different NFL teams, the Pros/Indians (1920-21/1925-26), the Milwaukee Badgers (1922), the Hammond Pros (1923, 1925), and the Providence Steam Roller (1925).

Hall of Fame