[jodibuck]

A1 fumbles as he is approaching sideline. The ball remains within the playing field as A1 is knocked out of bounds by the defense. A1 immediately returns to the field and recovers the fumble.

Is this illegal participation? Our line judge flags the play. Our crew discusses the play before enforcing the penalty. I argued that since A1 was knocked, or blocked, out of bounds, and he immediately returned to the field, it was a legal play.

I was outvoted and the offense was penalized 15 yards for illegal participation. Our crew's reasoning was that if a player goes out of bounds, he cannot be the "first player to touch the ball". He could recover the ball, but would be penalized for illegal participation.