NFL question.

[DinwiddieProud]

If the player is in possession of the ball, is on the ground but NOT down by contact, and a defender slaps at the ball and it gets loose, is it a fumble? Or is swatting at and sticking the ball considered establishing down by contact?

 

[White hat]

I have no idea. I would guess he would be down, but ot sure so I'll reach out to one of my friends working in the NFL and see if I can get an answer.

 

[White hat]

Tom Eaton tells me the runner is down by contact in your play. Tom is a line judge in the NFL (No. 87, if you notice such things.) Tom is from sunny, sub-tropical Orlando, Florida, so the NFL had him finish his regular season in frigid Green Bay, with a first round playoff game in cold, cold Cincinnati, followed by an assignment as an alternate who has to stand out in the weather, in Buffalo this past Sunday. I think he was happy to get home.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Tom Eaton tells me the runner is down by contact in your play. Tom is a line judge in the NFL (No. 87, if you notice such things.) Tom is from sunny, sub-tropical Orlando, Florida, so the NFL had him finish his regular season in frigid Green Bay, with a first round playoff game in cold, cold Cincinnati, followed by an assignment as an alternate who has to stand out in the weather, in Buffalo this past Sunday. I think he was happy to get home.

Yeah, I would say he earned his last few checks.
Thanks for checking with him.