Posted on 09/12/2010 5:34:45 PM PDT by From The Deer Stand
The NFL Sunday season started with controversy as what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown was taken away by a questionable NFL rule. The Detroit Lions were trailing the Bears 19-14 when quarterback Shaun Hill threw to the endzone where wide receiver Calvin Johnson jumped and caught what everyone thought was a touchdown pass. Only 24 seconds were left in the game and it appeared the Lions had a comeback win. Johnson came down with both feet in bounds and controlled the ball. When his hand with the ball touched the ground he released the ball to start his celebration. The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass as he didn't continue to maintain possession of the ball until he had absolutely stopped. Two feet in bounds in the endzone, ball in possession after crossing the goal line, and the NFL rule robs him and the Lions of a touchdown. Controversy? Yes, and rightly so. If ridiculous rules are going to dictate the season, let's go back to watching tennis.
Don’t celebrate.
Act like you’ve scored a touchdown before.
Thought all you had to do was cross the plane of the line with the ball in possession
Yeah, he caught the ball. The NFL screwed up and I bet they say so tomorrow.
Celebrate? Isn’t that for AFTER the ballgame?????? It is tiresome to watch immature people trying to get attention
That was a touchdown and a half. Lions got robbed.
I didn’t see it, but from what you described, I’d say the idiot receiver is to blame, not the rules. If you want people to make up the rules as they go along, watch soccer.
Bump and bump.
Oh those pesky rules, without them everybody would be a winner!
Never let go of the ball. If you catch another one you will have two balls.
I’m already watching tennis. Screw the NFL the way it treated Rush
Let the liberals support it
I watched the clip of the play about an hour ago. Crazy. If that’s the rule, I suppose the refs didn’t have much choice. But it seems like an awfully stupid rule to me.
It took place in Chicago. Need anything more be said?
First the perfect game for the Tigers and now this! Damn!
Wish they’d stop celebrating after every tackle, stop, reception, interception, etc.
That’s not going to happen as long as that’s what makes the replay reels.
Even tho’ I’m a Packer fan, and a loss for either team would be pretty much even up to me, that call was crapballs.
Saw the replay. I would have called that a touchdown.
Guess I better hold off on sending in that referee job app.
It looked a lot better than that celebrating Notre Dame player tossing the ball away on the one.
Small odd rules effect every game of every sport. We just mostly don’t notice because they’re ingrained in the game and we’ve learned to accept them. This one is a weird rule but it was correctly enforced, and it’s been around long enough the players should know better. Hold onto the ball until you hear the whistle, better yet hold onto it until the ref asks for it, you can guarantee the play is over then.
He didn’t release the ball, he should’ve put the other hand on it. It popped out when it hit the ground. The rule may be odd but it’s the rule. Better than that whole Don Denkinger thing.
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