I started my football "career" in 1977 at the age of 7. I played for 16 years total. Never, in all that time, was I ever taught to lead with the crown of the helmet. Keep your head up and run/drive through the ball carrier.. Put your face mask on the ball, etc.. never ever lower your head and drill someone. That has just a good chance to hurt me and it does them. Spearing has always been a penalty. Now I am not a huge fan of the way the NFL calls some of these plays, especially the helmet to helmet stuff when everyone is moving, ducking, twirling etc or a hit on a defenseless player.. some of my biggest moments where crushing some guy who wasn't paying attention on something like an Interception and just de-cleating them. But all that said, the rules are the rules and he knows the rules and broke them, without reason, so he gets what he deserves.