
SCREAMIN' FROM THE CHEAP SEATS by Leo Haggerty PFWA
SCREAMIN' FROM THE CHEAP SEATS. Who am I screamin' at today? Getting loud on NFL football fans for being uneducated and here's why.
Let's go back to the Eagles-Commanders NFC Conference Championship game. With Philadelphia lining up for their patented tush-push near the goal line Washington committed numerous offsides trying to time the snap. Finally, the referee announced to the pro-Birds crowd that if another offsides occurs then referees will award a touchdown.
A large majority of the fans watching the game turned to the person or persons they were viewing the game with and stated, "They can't do that?" Well, yes they can and here's the rule that verifies that.
Under the Touchdowns section of the NFL Rule Book, a TD can be awarded when, and I quote, "the referee awards a touchdown to a team that has been denied on by a palpably unfair act."
Let me give you an easier example of how that rule can be applied. Say Saquon Barkley, when he broke into the clear on his long touchdown run on the Eagles first play from scrimmage, a Commander player came off the bench and tackled him short of the goal line. The officials, after concurring and possible reviewing video evidence, can award a touchdown under the above rules interpretation.
So, what have you learned, my friends? Before you sound off on something that doesn't seem possible you may want to do a little back checking. At first glace it may seem like awarding a TD when the ball doesn't cross the goal is impossible. You're thinking even the Chiefs can't get that kind of call but Kansas City could make that happen even without Mahomes begging for the call. That's another issue for another column.
Book it Dano!