Yanking helmet off

[Hampton Roads 6]

if the defender pulls ball carrier's helmet off while making an unassisted tackle, is it a penalty

 

[White hat]

It would pretty much have to be, because grasping any helmet opening is considered grabbing the facemask. Hard to get a helmet off without grasping something.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

I was at a game Friday where the QB was tackled in backfield by defender pulling down him down by the helmet, pulling it off in the process and no flag was thrown.