time limit the offensive team has to snap the ball between plays) after time outs and other administrative stoppages has been reduced from 30 seconds to 25 seconds (the time interval between plays remains the same at 45 seconds); whenever a player goes out of bounds, other than in the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half or overtime, the game clock immediately starts when the ball is spotted for the next play and the Referee signals it is ready for play; and other than in the last two minutes of the first half and the last five minutes of the second half or overtime the game clock also starts following all declined penalties. This was the first season in which NFL teams officially had a bye week; the last time was in 1966, when the league had an odd number of teams at 15. 1990 deaths Chet Adams, a three-time AAFC champion with the Cleveland Browns died on October 28, 1990 Fritz Barzilauskas, a first round selection in the 1947 NFL Draft died on November 30, 1990 Former tackle Frank Cope died on October 8, 1990 Halfback Tom Harmon died on March 15, 1990 Offensive lineman Rufus Mayes died on January 9 Darryl Usher, a member of the Phoenix Cardinals in the 1989 NFL season was shot and killed on February 24, 1990, in Phoenix, Arizona at age 25. On December 21, 1990, Chicago Bears rookie Fred Washington was killed in a car accident. He was a member of the 1984 Texas 4A State Football Champion Denison YellowJackets and was voted defensive player of the year. Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Football coach George Allen died on December 31. Bronko Nagurski, also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, died on January 7, 1990 Preseason American Bowl A series of National Football League pre-season exhibition games that were held at sites outside the United States, a total of four games were held in 1990. Regular season Scheduling formula Highlights of the 1990 season included: Porkchop Bowl: A third game in the heated rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, following the Bounty Bowl of 1989, took place in 1990. Known as the "Porkchop Bowl". The game got its name because Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan choked on a pork chop in the week leading