Get Away Signal

[Blue37]

I cannot remember the game and was listening on the radio, so I did not see it, but this is what the announcers described:

The receiver gave a "get away from the ball" signal on a short punt, then fielded the ball on a bounce and started running. The whistle sounded and a flag was thrown. The Referee gave the following announcement (to the best of my memory), "There is no foul for delay of the game, but by rule the ball is dead immediately upon possession when a get away signal is given."

First time I have seen this. Is it a relatively new rule?