and if not, why? Thanks. – Kevin Alpharetta, GA.
The NFL does not sell the official rule book to the public. I
assume that the market for the book is not large enough for public sale. The rule book is very complicated and the officiating staff spends years learning everything about the rules. The Digest of Rules is a simple explanation of NFL rules, and in my opinion, is sufficient for those watching the game, not officiating it. I would suggest writing a letter to the National Football League office in New York, in care of the public relations department, asking if you can purchase the National Football League Official Rule Book.
I’ve enjoyed your explanations of football’s rules in this column this season. Is there a rule you’d like to see changed? Personally, I’d like to see the rule that the ground can’t cause a fumble thrown out, but I was wondering if there were any rules you think could be changed to improve the game? – Phil from Wheaton
If being an official in the NFL for 23 years has taught
me one thing, it is to learn the present rules and enforce them. I think the rules as they stand are the best in all sports, and I truly have no suggestions for future rule changes. Each February, the competition committee of the NFL meets to discuss possible rules changes and those that the committee feels are worthy of change are then presented to the 32 NFL owners at their March meeting. Remember, that the ground cannot cause a fumble if the runner in possession is contacted by a defender before he hits the ground. A runner untouched who hits the ground and
fumbles is not ruled down and the ball continues in play.
What is the purpose behind the rule that a fumble out of the end zone results in a touchback? It seems, in my opinion, that it would be more fair to spot the ball at the point of the fumble, as with other forward fumbles. It seems to be bad for competition for a change of possession to hinge on something as trivial as the direction a fumbled ball takes near the goal line. Is there some reason I don’t know about.
Thanks! Miguel, Aurora, Co.
This is by rule a touchback and the ball is awarded to the defensive team at their own 20-yard line. The purpose of the rule is to send a message to the offensive team that they must retain possession of the ball when they approach their opponents’ goal line or this severe ruling will take place. A forward fumble that goes out of bounds under NFL rules is returned to the spot of the fumble, unless it is fumbled forward and out of bounds in the end zone. This results in the touchback discussed
earlier and supercedes the fumble forward out of bounds rule. In my opinion, this is a good rule, and has been around for a very long time.
What determines who the home team is in the Super Bowl? – Tom, Nevada
The determination of home team and visiting team in the Super Bowl is rotated on a yearly basis. This year’s Super Bowl has the AFC as the home team and the NFC as the visitors.
Are there any limitations as to what technology a team can have with them on the sidelines? In a recent game I say players looking a several small TV monitors inside of a team colored box. — Al Embree, Champaign
The small monitors that you observed were part of the camera system allowed in each bench area for still photos of the action by either team on the field. These pictures are used as a teaching tool for the teams before they go back on the field. They show formations and possible areas where improvement could be made. This is the only type of equipment allowed on the sideline, with the exception of the head phones that the coaches use to communicate with the press box.
Are you, or other NFL referees, scared of Ed “The Hulk” Hochuli? – Nate from Phoenix
This is the first time that I have heard Ed Hochuli referred to as “The Hulk.” No, the other officials are not afraid of Ed. He is a very fine gentleman and a great official who has developed a national following because of his prowess on the field and his very impressive physique. He is a very good friend of mine and doesn’t scare me in the least.
