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Originally Posted by Robert Goodman
When I went to the link, it said:
And I still can't figure out what this means. What I'm guessing it refers to is a snap which is illegal in some way -- that previously the ball remained dead, and that the change was to make this a foul as the ball becomes live.
Robert
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I may have mispoke when I put "shotgun." I think I should've put "direct snap" as another poster put recently.
This happened in a game this year and it got quite a bit of exposure since (naturally) the other team recovered the football and felt screwed they weren't allowed to keep the ball. Here's the Markbreit explanation from his Chicago Tribune column:
"I'm sure you're getting a million questions about the ball that went through Brian Griese's legs, but why is that a false start and a snap over the punter's head is a live ball? If Griese was in the shotgun would it still have been a false start? --Michael Brenner, Chicago
Here's what the rule book says, "Any extension of hands by a player under center as if to receive the snap is a false start unless while under center he receives the snap. This includes any player under or behind the center placing his hands on his knees or on the body of the center. It is legal for a player under center who has extended his hands to legally go in motion, thus becoming a backfield man." The snap in the Bears game went through the quarterback's legs without touching him, thus, becoming a false start. This situation is seldom seen but was called correctly by Ed Hochuli and his crew by shutting the play down. When a snap goes over a punter's head or a shotgun quarterback's head, the ball is live and can be recovered and advanced by anyone. This action is considered a backward pass."
I hate the removal of the 5 yard face mask, BTW. I wonder how many flags will be picked up this season as the official changes his mind after the flag comes out.