Theres been a debate between a few of us about when the NFL started putting the nets up behind the goals and what the reason, purpose of the nets. If anyone could shed a little light on this and put a old argument to rest it would be much appreciated. Thanks

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to keep fans in the end zone from
tossing things at the players ??
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Wouldn't the reason be to not lose the footballs. I doubt everyone is so willing to throw them back. And when they did throw them back, they could throw them wherever they wanted and that could be another problem. In baseball they keep them, so I'm sure some would try to keep them.

That's the reason, in college some schools don't have nets. I guess you have to give them the football otherwise they can just kick you out and take it back.

Actually, with all of the cases involving homerun balls over the past few years, I'd bet that the legal precedent is shifting towards ownership of any ball that comes into the stands.

They had some fierce battles in the end zone seats over the balls. Everyone knew where the ball would be coming and they would crowd in there and grab, kick, gouge, etc. to get that souvenier. It got pretty brutal so they put up the nets to stop it.