The NFL should change the rule or enforce it, even with a small penalty. If a runner steps out of his lane or a swimmer leaves the block a hundredth of a second before his relay partner touches the wall, they are DQ’d. It doesn’t matter if they finish ten yards ahead of the next competitor. I am saddened by how many people I have heard say that it didn’t effect the outcome of the game so what difference did it make. When did we start thinking that cheating is ok if it doesn’t seem to effect the outcome?
The difference is so small that it is a 25k fine. Lots of sports have tiered penalties for a variety of things.