How many yards is the penalty in the NFL for intentional face-masking?

How many yards is the penalty in the NFL for intentional face-masking? It is a fifteen-yard penalty. Under NFL rules, twisting, turning, pulling, or controlling an opponent's facemask or helmet opening is treated as a serious personal foul and carries a 15-yard loss.

The rule is aimed at preventing players from controlling an opponent's head or violently redirecting the neck during a tackle or block. A player does not necessarily commit the foul merely by brushing against a facemask; the prohibited action involves grasping, twisting, pulling, or otherwise controlling it. Officials judge the contact in real time, so similar-looking plays can produce different calls.

The phrase “intentional face-masking” can be confusing because the NFL rulebook focuses on the physical act rather than requiring officials to prove a player's private intent. The penalty is also distinct from lesser infractions such as illegal hands to the face. When the facemask foul is committed by the defense, the 15 yards commonly come with an automatic first down; enforcement details can vary with the down and team responsible.