Facemask
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The facemask is a grid-shaped visor of the American football helmet . Depending on the position, there are differently shaped face tasks, a quarterback, for example, needs one through which he can see very well and has a good overview, the helmet grille of an offensive lineman, on the other hand, is supposed to protect the player as much as possible, which is why it is much heavier and more closely meshed. The facemask cannot be moved or folded up.
Opposing players must not be put into the face mask or into any opening in the helmet, as this can lead to neck injuries. The associated foul is also called Facemask and is subject to the rules of the American Football Association Germany (AFVD) with a penalty of 15 yards and the loss of a down on Facemask by the offense or an automatic first down on Facemask by the defense against the offending team punished. In the National Football League (NFL) there was at times a distinction between an "intended" and an "unintentional" facemask foul, which were either punished with 15 yards or with only 5 yards of loss of space. However, the unintentional facemask fouls have been repealed in the NFL and so any intervention in the facemask is considered intentional.
source
NCAA Rules and Interpretations