NFL players of the past and present vented on the proposed new NFL rule that could change the way running backs play in the NFL.

The NFL proposed a rule that would penalize a tackler or a runner that initiates contact with the crown of his helmet. A 15-yard penalty would be enforced only for running backs that are outside of the tackle box or are more than three yards downfield.

"I didn't use my head," hall of famer Jim Brown told Newsday from the league's owners meetings in Phoenix. "I used my forearm, the palm of my hand, my shoulder and my shoulder pads. I wasn't putting my head into too much of anything. I don't think that's a good idea. At least it doesn't sound like a good idea to me if I'm not guaranteed that my head is going to be strong enough to hurt somebody else and not hurt myself."

Jim Brown is considered one of the greatest to ever step on the gridiron.

The league studied every helmet-to-helmet play in Week 16 last year and found five backs who would have been penalized for a crown-of-the-helmet hit, the Associated Press reported. "We're trying to bring the shoulder back into the game," NFL Competition Committee Co-Chairman Jeff Fisher said.

Other legendary running backs chimed in, including Emmitt Smith, the career rushing yards leader in NFL history.

"This has to be one of the most absurd rules I've heard in a long time in the game of football," Smith said in an interview on "Mike and Mike In the Morning." "There's no way it's possible for a running back to get to the situation where he has to make the decision whether or not to plow forward for an additional yard to keep the chains moving and keep the clock rolling to end the game or keep the chains moving so his team can continue to drive down the field to get a field goal to win the game.n"What you will see is guys starting to run out of bounds."

Current running back Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears took to Twitter to vent.

"In order to lower your shoulder you obviously have to lower your head. It's a way of protecting yourself from a tackler and a way to break tackles," Forte tweeted.

Owners will vote on the proposal for the rule change this week. ESPN reports that the rule change can go into effect next season.