Fair Catch Signal

jmctigerpaw · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Dec 22, 2003, 09:57pm

In the NFL rules:

If a player signals a fair catch, is any member of the receiving team allowed to advance the ball. In the St. Louis Rams game Sunday:

Rams punted
Cinci signals fair catch
Ball bounces over his head and into the end zone
Rams touch the ball, but it isn't blown dead
Cinci picks it up and runs it out of the end zone for about 60 yards
(play was called back because players from both sides entered the field before the play was over)

However, wouldn't this have been an illeagal fair catch signal or in the NFL are you allowed to advance the ball after a fair catch signal has been made? Just wondering what the NFL rule was on fair catch signals.

Thanks for any clarification.

mikesears · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Dec 22, 2003, 10:14pm

In the NFL it is LEGAL for any R player to advance a kick after a fair catch signal if the kick has touched the ground.

Bob Floyd · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Dec 22, 2003, 11:03pm

Mike's post is correct. It is also legal for R to advance after a fair catch signal if the ball is touched by K

Snake~eyes · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Dec 22, 2003, 11:52pm

I didn't know the NFL rule, but that's interesting.

Can't wait to hear next year.

"Last year Bengals ran the ball after they gave a faircatch"

just what I need

Bob M. · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 23, 2003, 09:47am

Quote:

Originally posted by jmctigerpaw

However, wouldn't this have been an illeagal fair catch signal or in the NFL are you allowed to advance the ball after a fair catch signal has been made? Just wondering what the NFL rule was on fair catch signals.

Thanks for any clarification.

REPLY: Take the end zone out of the play. Even in Federation rules and NCAA rules, this would not be an illegal signal. It would simply be a dead ball once the receiver picked up the ball.

jmctigerpaw · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Dec 23, 2003, 09:54am

Thanks - now I know - and knowing is half the battle.