Another mistaken ruling in Referee

[TXMike]

Originally posted by Warrenkicker
Maybe they want us to rule that play dead because logic would seem to say that this ball should have become dead but the rule does not say that.

From the NCAA book, ball becomes dead: "When a runner’s helmet comes completely off. The ball belongs to the
runner’s team at that spot."

Now you can read that any way you want and be as technical as you want, but the intent is obvious...they do not want someone with the ball to be running without a helmet. As soon as he gets possession of the ball he is , by definition, a runner. The ball is dead by rule, whether you toot the whistle or not. This is a safety rule and you are opening yourself wide open if you enforce it differently. (And good luck trying to find other officials who will testify on your behalf at the trial and who will say they understand the rule same as you.)