Roughing the passer is a penalty in American football that occurs when a defensive player makes contact with the quarterback after he has released the ball or during his throwing motion. The penalty results in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the offense. In some cases, the defensive player may be ejected from the game if the infraction is deemed excessively violent or dangerous. The penalty is designed to protect the quarterback, who is a vulnerable player due to his position and lack of protective equipment.