Reddings guide illegal participation

[mikesears]

Originally Posted by Welpe

One last trip down the rabbit hole...

For your reading enjoyment:

2-37 Rule:

A rule is one of the groups of regulations which govern the game. A rule
sometimes states what a player may do, but if there is no such statement for a
given act (such as faking a kick), it is assumed that he may do what is not
prohibited. In like manner, a rule sometimes states or implies that the ball is dead
or that a foul is involved. If it does not, it is assumed that the ball is live and that
no foul has occurred. If a foul is mentioned, it is assumed that it is not part of a
double or multiple foul unless so stated or implied.

2-29 Out of Bounds:

Art 1: A player or other person is out of bounds when any part of the person is touching anything, other than another player or game official that is on
or outside the sideline or end line.

Art 3: A loose ball is out of bounds when it touches anything, including a player or game official that is out of bounds.


2-29-1 and 2-29-3 are exclusive in nature. The rules are specific as to when a player is out of bounds and when a loose ball is out of bounds. Since an airborne player is not touching anything out of bounds, these rules do not apply when an airborne touches a loose ball. There are no other rules to cover this situation, which means, by rule, we HAVE to assume the ball is live.

The prosecution rests. God Bless America with liberty and justice for all.

And notice that the tense of the verb "touch" is different for each situation.
"Is touching" is present tense. Present, meaning "currently". "Touched" means "has touched" is past tense, meaning at some point, the ball did touch out of bounds. While the NF has messed up a few items with improper language, I don't think this is one of them.