Trent Richardson told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer on Wednesday that he feels like it's his fault that running backs will now be penalized for using the crown of their helmets to make forcible contact with a defender outside the tackle box.

Trent Richardson knocked Kurt Coleman's helmet off with this violent hit last season, which the NFL used as an example of plays it wanted to penalize starting next season. AP Photo/Kevin Terrell

A video of Richardson knocking off Eagles safety Kurt Coleman's helmet was used as an example of plays the league wanted to penalize during the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix. The rule change passed 31-1, with the Cincinnati Bengals the only team to vote against it.

"I feel like I made it bad for all the backs," Richardson told the newspaper. "I feel like it's my fault."

He said people are starting to name the rule after him.

"People keep telling me it's the T-Rich rule," he said. "I guess I made history today."

Steelers president Art Rooney used another Browns running back, Hall of Famer Jim Brown, to explain his reasoning to accept the change.

"Jim Brown never lowered his head," Rooney said with a smile. "It can be done."

Earlier this week, Brown said he was in favor of the rule change.

"I didn't use my head," Brown told Newsday from the owners meetings. "I used my forearm. The palm of my hand. And 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."