Blocked Kick?
 

Watching Bears-Chargers this afternoon...

End of the first half, San Diego is attempting a long field goal. The Bears put Devin Hester in the end zone, hoping to catch a short kick and return it. The kick was almost long enough, hitting the crossbar and bouncing back in to the end zone. Hester leaped to try and catch it before it hit the cross bar.

What would have been the call if Hester had made contact with the ball before it hit the cross bar? Is it similar to goaltending in basketball?

Yes. But a field goal attempt is like a free throw, so in addition to counting the field goal, Hester would have been charged with a technical foul.

San Diego would be permitted two chip-shot attempts from the 5 yard line, each worth 1 point.

Either that, or if Hester jumped and caught the ball before it touches the ground, he can return it.

Very funny

NFL Case Book (2011)

A.R. 12.108 GOAL TENDING

Fourth-and-10 on B30. On an attempted field goal by A2 from the B37, B3 stands under the goal post and jumps above the crossbar and deflects (or catches) the kick so that it does not cross the crossbar, for what would have been, a successful field goal.
Ruling: Option for Team A: Three points awarded to Team A and Kickoff A35; or first-and-10 on B15. Palpably unfair act. (12-3-1-s)
NOTE: If the field goal had been successful despite B3’s action, there would be no foul.

This implies that it was obvious that the FGA would be successful. In the OP, it says "almost long enough" which means that the attempt is not successful. I think Hester (or anyone else) can jump up and grab it in order to return the miss.

Here's the actual wording of the rule:

Rule 12, Section 3 Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Article 1 There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Such acts specifically include, among others:

GOAL TENDING
(s) Goal-tending by a defensive player leaping up to deflect a kick as it passes above the crossbar of a goalpost is prohibited. The Referee could award three points for a palpably unfair act (12-3-3).

"Almost long enough" sounds like it would be below the crossbar and thus he Hester could do as he pleases.

The FG hit the cross bar, so if Hester "blocked" it, I don't think it would have been seen as obviously short. Either way the color man (Simms) said it would have been legal. :cool:

Simms later retracted that comment and said it was not "legal" in the since that a FG could be awarded.

Peace