NFL - Play over when Helmet Removed

[ajmc]

Why do you think someone has to write a better one. All this would have taken, is someone with a pair of.....nickles in his pants, to respond to the first fool who raised the possibility of ANY need to consider EXACTLY where the ball was at the split second the helmet came off, that his question was RIDICULOUS AND OUTSIDE THE INTENT OF THIS RULE.

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS? As was pointed out earlier on this issue, this is a safety related matter, and stopping play is intended to avoid any further contact to the head of a helmetless player.

Being precise for a reason is far different than being precise jUST TO BE PRECISE. Although it didn't much matter in the grand scheme of things, as they scored on the next play. The actual result of this decision gave one team an UNEARNED advantage over it's competitor, who had fairly and honestly EARNED a score which was somehow justified by an overly tecnical interpretation of a rule, that had absolutely nothing to do with the INTENT or PURPOSE of the rule.

Just as the right amount of garlick can improve any meal, the right amount of fancy technology can enhance the presentation of a game, but as too much garlick can RUIN ANY MEAL, too much reliance on the petty application of technology can RUIN an otherwise very successful and popular game.

As for all those "what ifs", add what if someone got really hurt on the unnecessary replay?

[youngump]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS?

Player is diving toward the endzone, his foot touches the side line just before or just after he breaks the plane?

[Welpe]

I had a play a few years ago while working L with Team A snapping from inside the B-5. The fullback took the ball, ran towards the goal line and dove to try and make it in. His helmet was so loose that it went flying off while the ball was at the B-1. I ruled him down at the B-1 because his helmet was clearly off. I was right on the goal line and saw it clear as day.

If I saw it that clearly, you know that a camera on the goal line would see it easily.

A touchdown was not earned, a touchdown was not awarded. When the coach asked what I had, I told him and he understood. He went and laid into his fullback for not wearing his helmet properly.

The fullback's helmet didn't come off the rest of the game.

I will make the same call again if I see it but I suspect that was a once in a career play.

The simple fact of the matter is that the ball is dead when the helmet comes completely off. Same as when the ball carrier's knee is down or he barely grazes the sideline on a long run untouched towards the endzone.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I had a play a few years ago while working L with Team A snapping from inside the B-5. The fullback took the ball, ran towards the goal line and dove to try and make it in. His helmet was so loose that it went flying off while the ball was at the B-1. I ruled him down at the B-1 because his helmet was clearly off. I was right on the goal line and saw it clear as day.

If I saw it that clearly, you know that a camera on the goal line would see it easily.

A touchdown was not earned, a touchdown was not awarded. When the coach asked what I had, I told him and he understood. He went and laid into his fullback for not wearing his helmet properly.

The fullback's helmet didn't come off the rest of the game.

I will make the same call again if I see it but I suspect that was a once in a career play.

The simple fact of the matter is that the ball is dead when the helmet comes completely off. Same as when the ball carrier's knee is down or he barely grazes the sideline on a long run untouched towards the endzone.

Nitpicker.

[Welpe]

I nitpick my nitpicker battles. A whole yard is not nitpicking to me.

[Adam]

The rule is written to protect the runner who has lost his helmet. If he's going to be off-limits for further contact, the ball should become dead. If you want to allow him to gain whatever ground he gets while airborne, then it seems he should be fair game for being hit by the defense until he lands as well. I don't think anyone really would want that.

And as I alluded to previously; if he wants all those yards, he should wear his helmet properly.

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by Adam

The rule is written to protect the runner who has lost his helmet. If he's going to be off-limits for further contact, the ball should become dead. If you want to allow him to gain whatever ground he gets while airborne, then it seems he should be fair game for being hit by the defense until he lands as well. I don't think anyone really would want that.

And as I alluded to previously; if he wants all those yards, he should wear his helmet properly.

I want to re-iterate this.
The player is COMPLETELY in control of how well his helmet stays on. If it comes off, it was either pulled off intentionally, or he intentionally chose to not wear it properly.

If the helmets I was issued in the Air Force to keep my brain bucket safe could stay attached with those crappy little chin straps that we had, then the the space age things those guys have today can't possibly be worn right if the power from two or three humans can knock them off.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS?

Do you realize how ridiculous this question is?

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Do you realize how ridiculous this question is?

Goes to show, sometimes what seems to make sense in your thought, just doesn't translate all that well into words. Some people get to write rules, others just get to implement them.

[jTheUmp]

How about you change you supposition from this:

Originally Posted by ajmc

... the possibility of ANY need to consider EXACTLY where the ball was at the split second the helmet came off

to this:

... the possibility of ANY need to consider EXACTLY where the ball was at the split second the ballcarrier was down

Now does it seem RIDICULOUS AND OUTSIDE THE INTENT OF THIS RULE?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Is there any other situation where the precise position of the ball actually matters when determining the precise moment when something HAPPENS?

Yes. Pretty much every single other close situation in the entire sport. "Did he score before his knee hit the ground" comes immediately to mind.

Thanks for being a fan.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Why do you think someone has to write a better one. All this would have taken, is someone with a pair of.....

So again I ask:

4th & 2 at the 40, RB dives over pile, helmet is dislodged short of line to gain, but RB is not down by contact, then he runs 4 more yards before a whistle blows.

How would you determine where to spot the ball?

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

So again I ask:

4th & 2 at the 40, RB dives over pile, helmet is dislodged short of line to gain, but RB is not down by contact, then he runs 4 more yards before a whistle blows.

How would you determine where to spot the ball?

Well you could do, what you always do when you JUDGE Forward Progress has been stopped, make a judgment on where you decide where the helmet came off, and mark the ball at the spot you judge it to be. Depending on where you've decided where that spot is, it's going to be 1st down for somebody.