Quote:
Originally Posted by football-1
Yes.
I understand the rule on the field was TD and play is over. But why did they not determine who recovered the ball on the field ?
just in case it was a fumble.
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Who comes up with the ball at the bottom of the piles does not have any significance when it comes to replay so it really isn't necessary in any way.
When the referee watches the video there are 2 requirements that he must see in order to overturn the dead ball no fumble call: 1) Indisputable visual evidence that it was a fumble, and 2) Indisputable visual evidence of who recovered the ball.
In this play he had #1 but did not have #2. When a possible fumble goes in a pile of players like that it is not going to get overturned. If a reviewed possible fumble is out on the middle of the field many times one player will fall on the ball immediately after the fumble; it is clear who actually recovered the ball. If there is a pile of players going for the ball it takes quite some time to determine who actually has the ball. During that time the official is making his call (touchdown, down by contact..) and players let go of the ball. The players know the officials are not calling it a fumble so they don't worry about the ball. A team A player could have had the ball, heard the official call touchdown and therefore let go of the ball. A team B player then grabs the ball and ends up standing up holding the ball. The player who actually recovered the ball may not be the one who ends up with it.
Basically what it comes down to is if you are watching the replay on your TV and you can't see who recovered the ball then the call is not going to get overturned.