Question

DenverFan · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

What is the penalty if a player is running the ball down the sidelines
with no one even close to tackling him and let's say he's on the other
teams' sidelines. If a player from the opposing team was to come off
the sidelines and tackle him say at the 30 yardline, what is the
penalty and why?

Thank you in advance.

Archived from group: rec>sport>football>pro

James Farrar · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 15

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 04:01:23 -0500, DenverFan wrote:

>What is the penalty if a player is running the ball down the sidelines
>with no one even close to tackling him and let's say he's on the other
>teams' sidelines. If a player from the opposing team was to come off
>the sidelines and tackle him say at the 30 yardline, what is the
>penalty and why?

The referee can award a touchdown for a palpably unfair act. The
situation you suggestion is the one specifically mentioned in the Rule
Book as an example of when the referee can award a penalty touchdown.

http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/penaltysummaries