question for the football junkies
 

Ok, I agree that Reggie was touched just before going to the ground on that punt return, but he didn't go down as a result of that touch. Can anyone tell me the number of the rule in the rulebook covers that? I'd like to read the actual wording. Thanks!

He was actually on the way to the ground with no way to stop,so when he was touched he was called down by contact. I think it's kinda weak but.....

One of the guys I was watching the game with said that if the ball carrier goes down "subsequent" to being touched, he's down. I would just like to see how the rule is actually worded.

sorry about the double post

It was a good reversal. He was on the way down and being touched going down does mean you are down.

I know. I was watching the game. I just wondered if any of the experts here knew the actual rule number. I like to see exactly how it's worded.

Sorry, but the grinch stole my NFL rules handbook last night while i'd had to much to drink. :cry: :D

My neighbor has one but I can't find the rule. The way that book is organized make it impossible to figure out anything!

I don't know what rule number it is, but I know that Mike McKenzie benefited from this same rule in the San Fran game when he ran back the INT and seemingly fumbled within the 5 yard line. It was determined that someone brushed the back of his foot.

An official shall declare a dead ball and the down ended when a runner is contacted by a defensive player and he touches the ground with any part of his body, except his hands or feet. Contacting a player under this rule could be touching, grabbing, bumping, or any other type of contact.