Mercy Rule

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by asdf

You cannot terminate the game in this situation. It's up to the coaches.

They both have to agree. Once they do, then the officials should agree as well.

But if they agree, does it bring down hell on both of them, as implied upthread? Or does that happen only if only one of them wants to end the game?

[asdf]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

But if they agree, does it bring down hell on both of them, as implied upthread? Or does that happen only if only one of them wants to end the game?

Agreeing to end a game prematurely and forefeiting a game are two different animals.

Only one will have consequences.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by asdf

Agreeing to end a game prematurely and forefeiting a game are two different animals.

Only one will have consequences.

Then what about failure to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so by the referee, which accomplishes the same thing? Does that one have consequences or not?

[APG]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Then what about failure to play within two minutes after being ordered to do so by the referee, which accomplishes the same thing? Does that one have consequences or not?

Put it this way, anytime a team is forfeiting a game, for whatever reason, more likely than not, there will be consequences.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by APG

Put it this way, anytime a team is forfeiting a game, for whatever reason, more likely than not, there will be consequences.

But what if an asteroid strikes at the 50?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Welpe

But what if an asteroid strikes at the 50?

We now know the definition of "intentionally obtuse."

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Adam

We now know the definition of "intentionally obtuse."

That carries a 5-yard penalty and a loss of down.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Welpe

But what if an asteroid strikes at the 50?

Hence the "more likely than not" rather than "always"