Right Call Wrong Rule
Right Call Wrong Rule
On October 15th, the New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets by a score of 24-17. With approximately 8 minutes left and trailing by 10, Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins appeared to score a 4 yard touchdown on a pass from Josh McCown. Upon review, the call was reversed to a touchback, and the ball was given to New England. All that was shown from the review was the Jenkins bobbled the ball for a second before crossing the goal line to score. This seemingly unimportant bobble took away seven points from the Jets. Fans were furious with the call, and saw that Jenkins clearly crossed the goal line with possession of the ball. There seemed to be no reason for the touchdown to be taken away.
By NFL rule, the refs decision was the right call. The rule that determines the call is a bad one, however no matter how much the Jets complain, the right call was made. In the NFL, possession is one of the most important and controversial parts of the game. When Jenkins bobbled the ball, it’s as if he lost possession, even though it was only for a second. Jenkins caught the ball he lost and landed past the pylon.
The problem however, was that Jenkins landed out of bounds next to the end zone. The NFL rule is that if the offense fumbles the football out of the opponent’s end zone, the play is ruled a touch back, and the other team’s offense takes over. The reason why everyone went crazy over the call is that Jenkins never fumbled the football, he just lost control, regained, and passes the pylon. That’s a touchdown.
The issue was that Patriots corner back Malcolm Butler was right with Jenkins, and in attempt to score, Jenkins dove for the pylon. While in the air, Jenkins bobbled the ball. Had Jenkins been running on the ground and into the end zone, there would be no problem. The fact that Jenkins was in the air makes all the difference, By NFL rule, in order to recover a fumble one must recover the ball, and then have at least two feet in bounds (or one knee/forearm) When Jenkins caught the ball he lost, he was in midair. Yes, he was physically holding onto the football, but in order to regain possession, Jenkins had to have his two feet in bounds. Jenkins never did this. Jenkins was mid-air with the ball, and landed out of bounds past the pylon.
Because Jenkins never regained official possession, the fact that he was holding the ball when he landed made no difference. Since he didn’t have official possession, it’s as if the ball was never recovered, and since Jenkins had it out of bounds, it’s as if the ball landed out of bounds by itself. That made the ref’s decision to call the play a touch back, and reward the ball to New England. The rule is stupid. A player should not be penalized for bobbling the ball for a second, however the call on the field was the right one.
