A couple of seasons ago, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu was taken down hard when Kansas City's Larry Johnson grabbed onto his long ponytail -- but he may not have to worry about that happening again.

The National Football League is now considering a rule that would require players with long hair to tuck it into their helmets so that it doesn't cover the names and numbers on the backs of their jerseys. Polamalu, who says he hasn't cut his hair since he was a student at USC in 2000, may be the best known of the players the rule would affect, but others with big hair issues include cornerbacks Al Harris of the Packers and Mike McKenzie of the Saints.

[Update: The NFL has tabled the proposed rule change governing hair length.]

Maybe the NBA should make a similar rule against bad haircuts? They've got some bad hair over there.