Is a ball carrier down by contact...

[Kajun Ref N Texas]

Originally Posted by jaybird

I know exactly what it means.
It means that people who use the statement are mimicking an inaccurate comment that is not supported by rule. That also means it is usually said by fans, players, coaches and common-taters. Not what you would call an intelligent group in regard to rules knowledge.

Why, then, do we have this phrase in the rules, "or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his
body, except his hand or foot," if not to clarify that, contact with the ground creates a dead ball situtaion, i.e., "the ground can't cause a fumble."