Illegal Forward Pass Ruling in SD-PIT Game

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by b10mtrk

Disclaimer: Football official with no NFL rules experience - discussion is based on football fundamentals

2) While a backward pass appears to be treated as a fumble there is a distinct difference; a fumble is an involuntary loss of player possession while a backward pass is a voluntary loss of player possession - two distinct occurrences and treated differently

How are they treated differently?

4) Acceptance of the penalty requires an untimed down for SD (Quarter/Half may not end with an accepted penalty)

Not true, at least not under FED rules. There will be no untimed down if the penalty includes a loss of down provision.

6) The Point After Touhdown (PAT) is an untimed down that must be completed

Again, not true under FED.

10) Reliance on the rules knowledge of announcers is - at best - foolhardy Example: lateral - no such definition in any football rules manual

Because, as a wise man once said, "Announcers are idiots."