What is the penalty for a personal foul in a football game?

A personal foul in a football game is a serious infraction that is typically penalized by a loss of 15 yards. This penalty reflects the severity of the actions involved, which usually pertain to player safety, such as unnecessary roughness or targeting. The purpose of imposing a 15-yard penalty is to discourage dangerous behavior and to promote fair play and sportsmanship on the field.

This penalty is consistently applied across various levels of play within the NFHS rules, reinforcing the emphasis on player safety and maintaining the integrity of the game. It distinguishes personal fouls from less severe penalties, which are often assessed at a shorter yardage. Thus, the correct answer truly recognizes the seriousness of personal fouls and the corresponding consequences for teams when such actions occur during a game.