Football Official

In the Browns vs. Bengals game yesterday, CLE TE appears to come down with catch, but ball is stripped out by CIN player as both go to ground. Eventually ruled an INT. Why wasn't CIN player ruled "down by contact?"

Asked by JLINK8 over 6 years ago

Yiu write there isxa strip as they go to the ground. Meaning no one is down. So if possession changes before they go to the ground and the defender has control once on the ground, you have an INT.

Can a player removed for his helmet coming off return to the game when there is a penalty on the next down

Asked by Ethegreek over 6 years ago

He has to sit out one play, unless his team uses a timeout to keep him in. If there is a foul and the play never goes off (e.g. false start) he can't re-enter since a play hasn't occurred. If a play is run and there is a foul during that play, then yes, he can then return.

Do you ever get booed?

Asked by They have a chance over 6 years ago

Uhhh, yes.

I understand in most cases it doesn’t matter. But if it happens at the 5 yard line one team is penalized 2.5 yards while the other team is penalized 15 yards. Doesn’t seem right to me as one team has an advantage when both commit the same foul.

Asked by Dmuellenberg over 6 years ago

You didn't answer my question. I know what the definition of the play is but my question is why is it presented that way.

Asked by Steve in Motown over 6 years ago

I'm not trying to be snarky here, but that's the rule. I may not agree with some, but the writers of the rules are the ones that put them in place....with the approval of teams in the NFL or the rules committee of the NCAA.

In between plays Game officials utilize a false start signal to communicate what? Secondly, officials use a motion as if each is brushing dust from the front of the shirt, what is being communicated?

Asked by Eric over 5 years ago

The rotating hands - at least in college - reminds everyone it is a 4th down and certain rules apply (e.g. only the ball carrier can advance a fumble, the clock will stop at the end of the play). The brushing the front of the shirt in the NFL signals there is an normally ineligible number (O lineman) who has reported as eligible. In other situations it may be an ask for a number (who fouled).

In the Ravens playoff loss when the fumble at the 1 yard line went through the endzone he was hit helmet to helmet, if that was called as a penalty where would that infraction be enforced?

Asked by James Heller over 5 years ago

If the foul for illegal contact was called, it would be, in that situation, from the previous spot- where the ball was snapped.