NFL Fumble

[rulesmaven]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Seriously, the NFL would ignore the whistle in such a case? So as in basketball, the NFL doesn't expect the players to stop playing on the whistle?

This is the so-called (for better or worse) "Hochuli rule" following the Chargers v. Broncos inadvertent whistle a few years back. Essentially, the NFL modified the replay rules to include limited exceptions to the inadvertent whistle rule in circumstances of a fumble. It's section 9(c) of the replay rules.

Upon further review, however, my initial analysis might have been off. The rule is more limited than I understood when I posted. By its terms, it only applies to cases in which a runner is ruled down by contact or a pass is deemed incomplete. In either case, if the whistle is sounded, but the it turns out the runner was not down by contact or there was a catch, the defense can recover a subsequent fumble notwithstanding an official having sounded his whistle. Does this apply to goal line plays? Clearly, I think, if the whistle is not sounded, the ball remains live despite a call of TD. But if the whistle sounds, a technical reading of the rule would indicate that even if the play is deemed to have been a fumble not a TD on replay, the whistle would preclude the defenders from obtaining possession. My sense, however, is that the rule is not generally enforced by its plain terms and read more broadly. Moreover, I do not know whether it is a proper mechanic in the NFL to sound the whistle upon a TD call.

What I am sure of is that I sincerely hope that none of you ever has a rule named after you.