1st-and-goal from the B5. Quarterback A1 throws an interception, caught by cornerback B1 at the B3-yard line, who then runs parallel to the sideline. No player on Team A would be able to catch B1, so Player A12, who was on the bench, runs onto the field and tackles B1 at the A40-yard line. What is the call and where do you spot the ball?
Spot ball at A2 for extra-point conversion try. When something happens that is well beyond the realm of fair play, the referee is allowed to confer with his crew and award any equitable resolution they deem necessary. This authority is given under the palpably unfair act rule, and there is no record of it ever called in the NFL.
It did, however, happen in the 1954 Cotton Bowl. Because the runner is unimpeded to the end zone, the only equitable call is to award the touchdown. Deliberate palpably unfair acts are subject to an ejection of the player or participant, although, surprisingly, the officials in the Cotton Bowl did not.
Ben Austro is the editor and founder of Football Zebras and the author of So You Think You Know Football?: The Armchair Ref's Guide to the Official Rules (on sale now)
5 thoughts on “Tough quiz: 7 calls you may never see in NFL (but how would you rule?)”
The 2013 Fiesta Bowl featured a variation on Question 3.
Ah…. Dickie Moegel.
This almost happened in a 1997 Jaguars-Steelers game. The potential game-winning field goal for the Steelers was blocked, and as a Jaguar began to return it for a touchdown, he ran past Bill Cowher, who made a motion as if he was going to tackle the player. Cowher said that he almost made the tackle.
For Q #1, I have always been interested to see a 7th Quarter kickoff happen, but it never has as of yet. I did watch the Los Angeles Express Triple-Overtime USFL playoff game on ABC, and no kickoff occurred to start the 3rd OT period, only the ends of the field at the LA coliseum were switched, with possession maintained by the offense, as a continuation of the same drive from the end of the 2nd OT period.
Wow! Good to know someone was watching.
With all of the revisions to the overtime section of the rulebook for modified sudden death, it is a little more clearly stated that there is another kickoff. Before then, it was probably an item in the officials’ Casebook.
The 2013 Fiesta Bowl featured a variation on Question 3.
Ah…. Dickie Moegel.
This almost happened in a 1997 Jaguars-Steelers game. The potential game-winning field goal for the Steelers was blocked, and as a Jaguar began to return it for a touchdown, he ran past Bill Cowher, who made a motion as if he was going to tackle the player. Cowher said that he almost made the tackle.
For Q #1, I have always been interested to see a 7th Quarter kickoff happen, but it never has as of yet. I did watch the Los Angeles Express Triple-Overtime USFL playoff game on ABC, and no kickoff occurred to start the 3rd OT period, only the ends of the field at the LA coliseum were switched, with possession maintained by the offense, as a continuation of the same drive from the end of the 2nd OT period.
Wow! Good to know someone was watching.
With all of the revisions to the overtime section of the rulebook for modified sudden death, it is a little more clearly stated that there is another kickoff. Before then, it was probably an item in the officials’ Casebook.