NFL Digest Of Rules - The LCFL abides by the rules of the
National Football League
OFFICIAL'S JURISDICTIONS, POSITIONS, AND DUTIES
Referee — General oversight and control of game. Gives
signals for all fouls and is final authority for rule interpretations.
Takes a position in backfield 10 to 12 yards behind line of
scrimmage, favors right side (if quarterback is right-handed
passer). Determines legality of snap, observes deep back(s)
for legal motion. On running play, observes quarterback during
and after handoff, remains with him until action has cleared
away, then proceeds downfield, checking on runner and contact
behind him. When runner is downed, Referee determines forward
progress from wing official and, if necessary, adjusts final
position of ball.
On pass plays, drops back as quarterback begins to fade back,
picks up legality of blocks by near linemen. Changes to complete
concentration on quarterback as defenders approach. Primarily
responsible to rule on possible roughing action on passer
and if ball becomes loose, rules whether ball is free on a
fumble or dead on an incomplete pass.
During kicking situations, Referee has primary responsibility
to rule on kicker's actions and whether or not any subsequent
contact by a defender is legal. The Referee will announce
on the microphone when each period is ended.
Umpire — Primary responsibility to rule on players'
equipment, as well as their conduct and actions on scrimmage
line. Lines up approximately four to five yards downfield,
varying position from in front of weakside tackle to strongside
guard. Looks for possible false start by offensive linemen.
Observes legality of contact by both offensive linemen while
blocking and by defensive players while they attempt to ward
off blockers. Is prepared to call rule infractions if they
occur on offense or defense. Moves forward to line of scrimmage
when pass play develops in order to insure that interior linemen
do not move illegally downfield. If offensive linemen indicate
screen pass is to be attempted, Umpire shifts his attention
toward screen side, picks up potential receiver in order to
insure that he will legally be permitted to run his pattern
and continues to rule on action of blockers. Umpire is to
assist in ruling on incomplete or trapped passes when ball
is thrown overhead or short. On punt plays, Umpire positions
himself opposite Referee in offensive backfield-5 yards from
kicker and parallel.
Head Linesman — Primarily responsible for ruling on
offside, encroachment, and actions pertaining to scrimmage
line prior to or at snap. Keys on closest setback on his side
of the field. On pass plays, Linesman is responsible to clear
his receiver approximately seven yards downfield as he moves
to a point five yards beyond the line. Linesman's secondary
responsibility is to rule on any illegal action taken by defenders
on any delay receiver moving downfield. Has full responsibility
for ruling on sideline plays on his side, e.g., pass receiver
or runner in or out of bounds. Together with Referee, Linesman
is responsible for keeping track of number of downs and is
in charge of mechanics of his chain crew in connection with
its duties.
Linesman must be prepared to assist in determining forward
progress by a runner on play directed toward middle or into
his side zone. He, in turn, is to signal Referee or Umpire
what forward point ball has reached. Linesman is also responsible
to rule on legality of action involving any receiver who approaches
his side zone. He is to call pass interference when the infraction
occurs and is to rule on legality of blockers and defenders
on plays involving ball carriers, whether it is entirely a
running play, a combination pass and run, or a play involving
a kick.
Line Judge — Straddles line of scrimmage on side of
field opposite Linesman. Keeps time of game as a backup for
clock operator. Along with Linesman is responsible for offside,
encroachment, and actions pertaining to scrimmage line prior
to or at snap. Line Judge keys on closest setback on his side
of field. Line Judge is to observe his receiver until he moves
at least seven yards downfield. He then moves toward backfield
side, being especially alert to rule on any back in motion
and on flight of ball when pass is made (he must rule whether
forward or backward). Line Judge has primary responsibility
to rule whether or not passer is behind or beyond line of
scrimmage when pass is made. He also assists in observing
actions by blockers and defenders who are on his side of field.
After pass is thrown, Line Judge directs attention toward
activities that occur in back of Umpire. During punting situations,
Line Judge remains at line of scrimmage to be sure that only
the end men move downfield until kick has been made. He also
rules whether or not the kick crossed line and then observes
action by members of the kicking team who are moving downfield
to cover the kick. The Line Judge will advise the Referee
when time has expired at the end of each period.
Field Judge — Operates on same side of field as Line
Judge, 20 yards deep. Keys on wide receiver on his side. Concentrates
on path of end or back, observing legality of his potential
block(s) or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule
from deep position on holding or illegal use of hands by end
or back or on defensive infractions committed by player guarding
him. Has primary responsibility to make decisions involving
sideline on his side of field, e.g., pass receiver or runner
in or out of bounds.
Field Judge makes decisions involving catching, recovery,
or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage;
rules on plays involving pass receiver, including legality
of catch or pass interference; assists in covering actions
of runner, including blocks by teammates and that of defenders;
calls clipping on punt returns; and, together with Back Judge,
rules whether or not field goal attempts are successful.
Side Judge — Operates on same side of field as Linesman,
20 yards deep. Keys on wide receiver on his side. Concentrates
on path of end or back, observing legality of his potential
block(s) or of actions taken against him. Is prepared to rule
from deep position on holding or illegal use of hands by end
or back or on defensive infractions committed by player guarding
him. Has primary responsibility to make decisions involving
sideline on his side of field, e.g., pass receiver or runner
in or out of bounds.
Side Judge makes decisions involving catching, recovery,
or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage;
rules on plays involving pass receiver, including legality
of catch or pass interference; assists in covering actions
of runner, including blocks by teammates and that of defenders;
and calls clipping on punt returns. On field goals and point
after touchdown attempts, he becomes a double umpire.
Back Judge — Takes a position 25 yards downfield. In
general, favors the tight end's side of field. Keys on tight
end, concentrates on his path and observes legality of tight
end's potential block(s) or of actions taken against him.
Is prepared to rule from deep position on holding or illegal
use of hands by end or back or on defensive infractions committed
by player guarding him.
Back Judge times interval between plays on 40/25-second clock
plus intermission between two periods of each half; makes
decisions involving catching, recovery, or illegal touching
of a loose ball beyond line of scrimmage; is responsible to
rule on plays involving end line; calls pass interference,
fair catch infractions, and clipping on kick returns; and,
together with Field Judge, rules whether or not field goals
and conversions are successful.
Definitions
1. Chucking: Warding off an opponent who is in front of a
defender by contacting him with a quick extension of arm or
arms, followed by the return of arm(s) to a flexed position,
thereby breaking the original contact.
2. Clipping: Throwing the body across the back of an opponent's
leg or hitting him from the back below the waist while moving
up from behind unless the opponent is a runner or the action
is in close line play.
3. Close Line Play: The area between the positions normally
occupied by the offensive tackles, extending three yards on
each side of the line of scrimmage.
4. Crackback: Eligible receivers who take or move to a position
more than two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent
below the waist if they then move back inside to block.
5. Dead Ball: Ball not in play.
6. Double Foul: A foul by each team during the same down.
7. Down: The period of action that starts when the ball is
put in play and ends when it is dead.
8. Encroachment: When a player enters the neutral zone and
makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.
9. Fair Catch: An unhindered catch of a kick by a member
of the receiving team who must raise one arm a full length
above his head while the kick is in flight.
10. Foul: Any violation of a playing rule.
11. Free Kick: A kickoff or safety kick. It may be a placekick,
dropkick, or punt, except a punt may not be used on a kickoff
following a touchdown, successful field goal, or to begin
each half or overtime period. A tee cannot be used on a fair-catch
or safety kick.
12. Fumble: The loss of possession of the ball.
13. Game Clock: Scoreboard game clock.
14. Impetus: The action of a player that gives momentum to
the ball.
15. Live Ball: A ball legally free kicked or snapped. It
continues in play until the down ends.
16. Loose Ball: A live ball not in possession of any player.
17. Muff: The touching of a loose ball by a player in an
unsuccessful attempt to obtain possession.
18. Neutral Zone: The space the length of a ball between
the two scrimmage lines. The offensive team and defensive
team must remain behind their end of the ball.
Exception: The offensive player who snaps the ball.
19. Offside: A player is offside when any part of his body
is beyond his scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is
snapped.
20. Own Goal: The goal a team is guarding.
21. Play Clock: 40/25 second clock.
22. Pocket Area: Applies from a point two yards outside of
either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops
off the line of scrimmage to pass protect. Pocket extends
longitudinally behind the line back to offensive team's own
end line.
23. Possession: When a player controls the ball throughout
the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of
his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds.
24. Post-Possession Foul: A foul by the receiving team that
occurs after a ball is legally kicked from scrimmage prior
to possession changing. The ball must cross the line of scrimmage
and the receiving team must retain possession of the kicked
ball.
25. Punt: A kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks
it while it is in flight.
26. Safety: The situation in which the ball is dead on or
behind a team's own goal if the impetus comes from a player
on that team. Two points are scored for the opposing team.
27. Shift: The movement of two or more offensive players
at the same time before the snap.
28. Striking: The act of swinging, clubbing, or propelling
the arm or forearm in contacting an opponent.
29. Sudden Death: The continuation of a tied game into sudden
death overtime in which the team scoring first (by safety,
field goal, or touchdown) wins.
30. Touchback: When a ball is dead on or behind a team's
own goal line, provided the impetus came from an opponent
and provided it is not a touchdown or a missed field goal.
31. Touchdown: When any part of the ball, legally in possession
of a player inbounds, breaks the plane of the opponent's goal
line, provided it is not a touchback.
32. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any act contrary to the generally
understood principles of sportsmanship.
SUMMARY OF PENALTIES
Automatic First Down
1. Awarded to offensive team on all defensive fouls with these
exceptions:
(a) Offside.
(b) Encroachment.
(c) Delay of game.
(d) Illegal substitution.
(e) Excessive time out(s).
(f) Incidental grasp of facemask.
(g) Neutral zone infraction.
(h) Running into the kicker.
(i) More than 11 players on the field at the snap.
Five yards
1. Defensive holding or illegal use of hands (automatic first
down).
2. Delay of game on offense or defense.
3. Delay of kickoff.
4. Encroachment.
5. Excessive time out(s).
6. False start.
7. Illegal formation.
8. Illegal shift.
9. Illegal motion.
10. Illegal substitution.
11. First onside kickoff out of bounds between goal lines
and not touched.
12. Invalid fair catch signal.
13. More than 11 players on the field at snap for either
team.
14. Less than seven men on offensive line at snap.
15. Offside.
16. Failure to pause one second after shift or huddle.
17. Running into kicker.
18. More than one man in motion at snap.
19. Grasping facemask of the ball carrier or quarterback.
20. Player out of bounds at snap.
21. Ineligible member(s) of kicking team going beyond line
of scrimmage before ball is kicked.
22. Illegal return.
23. Failure to report change of eligibility.
24. Neutral zone infraction.
25. Loss of team time out(s) or five-yard penalty on the
defense for excessive crowd noise.
26. Ineligible player downfield during passing down.
27. Second forward pass behind the line.
28. Forward pass is first touched by eligible receiver who
has gone out of bounds and returned.
29. Forward pass touches or is caught by an ineligible receiver
on or behind line.
30. Forward pass thrown from behind line of scrimmage after
ball once crossed the line.
10 Yards
1. Offensive pass interference.
2. Holding, illegal use of hands, arms, or body by offense.
3. Tripping by a member of either team.
4. Helping the runner.
5. Deliberately batting or punching a loose ball.
6. Deliberately kicking a loose ball.
7. Illegal block above the waist.
15 Yards
1. Chop block.
2. Clipping below the waist.
3. Fair catch interference.
4. Illegal crackback block by offense.
5. Piling on (automatic first down).
6. Roughing the kicker (automatic first down).
7. Roughing the passer (automatic first down).
8. Twisting, turning, or pulling an opponent by the facemask.
9. Unnecessary roughness.
10. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
11. Delay of game at start of either half.
12. Illegal low block.
13. A tackler using his helmet to butt, spear, or ram an
opponent.
14. Any player who uses the top of his helmet unnecessarily.
15. A punter, placekicker, or holder who simulates being
roughed by a defensive player.
16. A defender who takes a running start from beyond the
line of scrimmage in an attempt to block a field goal or point
after touchdown and lands on players at the line of scrimmage.
Five yards and loss of down (Combination Penalty)
1. Forward pass thrown from beyond line of scrimmage.
10 Yards and loss of down (Combination Penalty)
1. Intentional grounding of forward pass (safety if passer
is in own end zone). If foul occurs more than 10 yards behind
line, play results in loss of down at spot of foul.
15 Yards and loss of coin toss option
1. Team's late arrival on the field prior to scheduled kickoff.
2. Captains not appearing for coin toss.
15 Yards (and disqualification if flagrant)
1. Striking opponent with fist.
2. Kicking or kneeing opponent.
3. Striking opponent on head or neck with forearm, elbow,
or hands whether or not the initial contact is made below
the neck area.
4. Roughing kicker.
5. Roughing passer.
6. Malicious unnecessary roughness.
7. Unsportsmanlike conduct.
8. Palpably unfair act. (Distance penalty determined by the
Referee after consultation with other officials.)
15 Yards and automatic disqualification
1. Using a helmet (not worn) as a weapon.
2. Striking or purposely shoving a game official.
Suspension from game for one down
1. Illegal equipment. (Player may return after one down when
legally equipped.)
Touchdown awarded (palpably unfair act)
1. When Referee determines a palpably unfair act deprived
a team of a touchdown. (Example: Player comes off bench and
tackles runner apparently en route to touchdown.)
Field
1. Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. The goal line
is actually in the end zone. A player with the ball in his
possession scores when the ball is on, above, or over the
goal line.
2. The field is rimmed by a white border, six feet wide,
along the sidelines. All of this is out of bounds.
3. The hashmarks (inbound lines) are 70 feet, 9 inches from
each sideline.
4. Goal posts must be single-standard type, offset from the
end line and painted bright gold. The goal posts must be 18
feet, 6 inches wide and the top face of the crossbar must
be 10 feet above the ground. Vertical posts extend at least
30 feet above the crossbar. A ribbon 4 inches by 42 inches
long is to be attached to the top of each post. The actual
goal is the plane extending indefinitely above the crossbar
and between the outer edges of the posts.
5. The field is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide. The end
zones are 30 feet deep. The line used in try-for-point plays
is two yards out from the goal line.
6. Chain crew members and ball boys must be uniformly identifiable.
7. All clubs must use standardized sideline markers. Pylons
must be used for goal line and end line markings.
8. End zone markings and club identification at 50 yard line
must be approved by the Commissioner to avoid any confusion
as to delineation of goal lines, sidelines, and end lines.
Ball
1. Thirty-six approved footballs will be used in games played
outdoors (24 indoors).
Coin toss
1. The toss of coin will take place within three minutes of
kickoff in center of field. The toss will be called by the
visiting captain. The winner may choose one of two privileges
and the loser gets the other:
(a) Receive or kick
(b) Goal his team will defend
2. Immediately prior to the start of the second half, the
captains of both teams must inform the officials of their
respective choices. The loser of the original coin toss gets
first choice.
Timing
1. The stadium game clock is official. In case it stops or
is operating incorrectly, the Line Judge takes over the official
timing on the field.
2. Each period is 15 minutes. The intermission between the
periods is two minutes. Halftime is 12 minutes, unless otherwise
specified.
3. On charged team time outs, the Field Judge starts watch
and blows whistle after 1 minute 50 seconds, unless television
does not utilize the time for commercial. In this case the
length of the time out is reduced to 40 seconds.
4. The Referee will allow necessary time to attend to an
injured player, or repair a legal player's equipment.
5. Each team is allowed three time outs each half.
6. Time between plays will be 40 seconds from the end of
a given play until the snap of the ball for the next play,
or a 25-second interval after certain administrative stoppages
and game delays.
7. Clock will start running when ball is snapped following
all changes of team possession.
8. With the exception of the last two minutes of the first
half and the last five minutes of the second half, the game
clock will be restarted following a kickoff return, a player
going out of bounds on a play from scrimmage, or after declined
penalties when appropriate on the referee's signal.
9. Consecutive team time outs can be taken by opposing teams
but the length of the second time out will be reduced to 40
seconds.
10. When, in the judgment of the Referee, the level of crowd
noise prevents the offense from hearing its signals, he can
institute a series of procedures which can result in a loss
of team time outs or a five-yard penalty against the defensive
team.
Sudden death
1. The sudden death system of determining the winner shall
prevail when score is tied at the end of the regulation playing
time of all NFL games. The team scoring first during overtime
play shall be the winner and the game automatically ends upon
any score (by safety, field goal, or touchdown) or when a
score is awarded by Referee for a palpably unfair act.
2. At the end of regulation time the Referee will immediately
toss coin at center of field in accordance with rules pertaining
to the usual pregame toss. The captain of the visiting team
will call the toss.
3. Following a three-minute intermission after the end of
the regulation game, play will be continued in 15-minute periods
or until there is a score. There is a two-minute intermission
between subsequent periods. The teams change goals at the
start of each period. Each team has three time outs per half
and all general timing provisions apply as during a regular
game. Disqualified players are not allowed to return.
Exception: In preseason and regular season games there shall
be a maximum of 15 minutes of sudden death with two time outs
instead of three. General provisions that apply for the fourth
quarter will prevail. Try not attempted if touchdown scored.
Timing in final two minutes of each half
1. On kickoff, clock does not start until the ball has been
legally touched by player of either team in the field of play.
(In all other cases, clock starts with kickoff.)
2. A team cannot buy an excess time out for a penalty. However,
a fourth time out is allowed without penalty for an injured
player, who must be removed immediately. A fifth time out
or more is allowed for an injury and a five-yard penalty is
assessed if the clock was running. Additionally, if the clock
was running and the score is tied or the team in possession
is losing, the ball cannot be put in play for at least 10
seconds on the fourth or more time out. The half or game can
end while those 10 seconds are run off on the clock.
3. If the defensive team is behind in the score and commits
a foul when it has no time outs left in the final 30 seconds
of either half, the offensive team can decline the penalty
for the foul and have the time on the clock expire.
4. Fouls that occur in the last five minutes of the fourth
quarter as well as the last two minutes of the first half
will result in the clock starting on the snap.
Try
1. After a touchdown, the scoring team is allowed a try during
one scrimmage down. The ball may be spotted anywhere between
the inbounds lines, two or more yards from the goal line.
The successful conversion counts one point by kick; two points
for a successful conversion by touchdown; or one point for
a safety.
2. The defensive team never can score on a try. As soon as
defense gets possession or the kick is blocked or a touchdown
is not scored, the try is over.
3. Any distance penalty for fouls committed by the defense
that prevent the try from being attempted can be enforced
on the succeeding try or succeeding kickoff. Any foul committed
on a successful try will result in a distance penalty being
assessed on the ensuing kickoff.
4. Only the fumbling player can recover and advance a fumble
during a try.
Players-substitutions
1. Each team is permitted 11 men on the field at the snap.
2. Unlimited substitution is permitted. However, players
may enter the field only when the ball is dead. Players who
have been substituted for are not permitted to linger on the
field. Such lingering will be interpreted as unsportsmanlike
conduct.
3. 12 men delayed in huddle-illegal substitution.
4. Players leaving the game must be out of bounds on their
own side, clearing the field between the end lines, before
a snap or free kick. If player crosses end line leaving field,
it is delay of game (five-yard penalty).
5. Substitutes who remain in the game must move onto the
field as far as the inside of the field numerals before moving
to a wide position.
6. With the exception of the last two minutes of either half,
the offensive team, while in the process of substitution or
simulated substitution, is prohibited from rushing quickly
to the line and snapping the ball with the obvious attempt
to cause a defensive foul; i.e., too many men on the field.
Kickoff
1. The kickoff shall be from the kicking team's 30-yard line
at the start of each half and after a field goal and try-for-point.
A kickoff is one type of free kick.
2. A one-inch tee may be used (no tee permitted for field
goal or try attempt) on a kickoff. The ball is put in play
by a placekick or dropkick.
3. If the kickoff clears the opponent's goal posts it is
not a field goal.
4. A kickoff is illegal unless it travels 10 yards OR is
touched by the receiving team. Once the ball is touched by
the receiving team it is a free ball. Receivers may recover
and advance. Kicking team may recover but NOT advance UNLESS
receiver had possession and lost the ball.
5. When a kickoff goes out of bounds between the goal lines
without being touched by the receiving team, the ball belongs
to the receivers 30 yards from the spot of the kick or at
the out-of-bounds spot unless the ball went out-of-bounds
the first time an onside kick was attempted. In this case
the kicking team is to be penalized five yards and the ball
must be kicked again.
6. When a kickoff goes out of bounds between the goal lines
and is touched last by receiving team, it is receiver's ball
at out-of-bounds spot.
Safety
1. In addition to a kickoff, the other free kick is a kick
after a safety (safety kick). A punt may be used (a punt may
not be used on a kickoff).
2. On a safety kick, the team scored upon puts ball in play
by a punt, dropkick, or placekick without tee. No score can
be made on a free kick following a safety, even if a series
of penalties places team in position. (A field goal can be
scored only on a play from scrimmage or a free kick after
a fair catch.)
Fair catch kick
1. After a fair catch, the receiving team has the option to
put the ball in play by a snap or a fair catch kick (field
goal attempt), with fair catch kick lines established ten
yards apart. All general rules apply as for a field goal attempt
from scrimmage. The clock starts when the ball is kicked.
(No tee permitted.)
Field goal
1. All field goals attempted (kicker) and missed from beyond
the 20-yard line will result in the defensive team taking
possession of the ball at the spot of the kick. On any field
goal attempted and missed where the spot of the kick is on
or inside the 20-yard line, ball will revert to defensive
team at the 20-yard line.
Safety
1. The important factor in a safety is impetus. Two points
are scored for the opposing team when the ball is dead on
or behind a team's own goal line if the impetus came from
a player on that team.
Examples of Safety:
(a) Blocked punt goes out of kicking team's end zone. Impetus
was provided by punting team. The block only changes direction
of ball, not impetus.
(b) Ball carrier retreats from field of play into his own
end zone and is downed. Ball carrier provides impetus.
(c) Offensive team commits a foul and spot of enforcement
is behind its own goal line.
(d) Player on receiving team muffs punt and, trying to get
ball, forces or illegally kicks (creating new impetus) it
into end zone where it goes out of the end zone or is recovered
by a member of the receiving team in the end zone.
Examples of Non-Safety:
(a) Player intercepts a pass with both feet inbounds in the
field of play and his momentum carries him into his own end
zone. Ball is put in play at spot of interception.
(b) Player intercepts a pass in his own end zone and is downed
in the end zone, even after recovering in the end zone. Impetus
came from passing team, not from defense. (Touchback)
(c) Player passes from behind his own goal line. Opponent
bats down ball in end zone. (Incomplete pass)
Measuring
1. The forward point of the ball is used when measuring.
Position of players at snap
1. Offensive team must have at least seven players on line.
2. Offensive players, not on line, must be at least one yard
back at snap. (Exception: player who takes snap.)
3. No interior lineman may move after taking or simulating
a three-point stance.
4. No player of either team may invade neutral zone before
snap.
5. No player of offensive team may charge or move, after
assuming set position, in such manner as to lead defense to
believe snap has started. No player of the defensive team
within one yard of the line of scrimmage may make an abrupt
movement in an attempt to cause the offense to false start.
6. If a player changes his eligibility, the Referee must
alert the defensive captain after player has reported to him.
7. All players of offensive team must be stationary at snap,
except one back who may be in motion parallel to scrimmage
line or backward (not forward).
8. After a shift or huddle all players on offensive team
must come to an absolute stop for at least one second with
no movement of hands, feet, head, or swaying of body.
9. Quarterbacks can be called for a false start penalty (five
yards) if their actions are judged to be an obvious attempt
to draw an opponent offside.
Use of hands, arms, and body
1. No player on offense may assist a runner except by blocking
for him. There shall be no interlocking interference.
2. A runner may ward off opponents with his hands and arms
but no other player on offense may use hands or arms to obstruct
an opponent by grasping with hands, pushing, or encircling
any part of his body during a block. Hands (open or closed)
can be thrust forward to initially contact an opponent on
or outside the opponent's frame, but the blocker must work
to bring his hands on or inside the frame.
Note: Pass blocking: Hand(s) thrust forward that slip outside
the body of the defender will be legal if blocker worked to
bring them back inside. Hand(s) or arm(s) that encircle a
defender-i.e., hook an opponent-are to be considered illegal
and officials are to call a foul for holding.
Blocker cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind,
hang onto, or encircle an opponent in a manner that restricts
his movement as the play develops.
3. Hands cannot be thrust forward above the frame to contact
an opponent on the neck, face or head.
Note: The frame is defined as the part of the opponent's
body below the neck that is presented to the blocker.
4. A defensive player may not tackle or hold an opponent
other than a runner. Otherwise, he may use his hands, arms,
or body only:
(a) To defend or protect himself against an obstructing opponent.
Exception: An eligible receiver is considered to be an obstructing
opponent ONLY to a point five yards beyond the line of scrimmage
unless the player who receives the snap clearly demonstrates
no further intention to pass the ball. Within this five-yard
zone, a defensive player may make contact with an eligible
receiver that may be maintained as long as it is continuous
and unbroken up until a point when the receiver is beyond
the defender. The defensive player cannot use his hands or
arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an eligible
receiver in a manner that restricts movement as the play develops.
Beyond this five-yard limitation, a defender may use his hands
or arms ONLY to defend or protect himself against impending
contact caused by a receiver. In such reaction, the defender
may not contact a receiver who attempts to take a path to
evade him.
(b) To push or pull opponent out of the way on line of scrimmage.
(c) In actual attempt to get at or tackle runner.
(d) To push or pull opponent out of the way in a legal attempt
to recover a loose ball.
(e) During a legal block on an opponent who is not an eligible
pass receiver.
(f) When legally blocking an eligible pass receiver above
the waist.
Exception: Eligible receivers lined up within two yards of
the tackle, whether on or immediately behind the line, may
be blocked below the waist at or behind the line of scrimmage.
NO eligible receiver may be blocked below the waist after
he goes beyond the line. (Illegal cut)
Note: Once the quarterback hands off or pitches the ball to
a back, or if the quarterback leaves the pocket area, the
restrictions (illegal chuck, illegal cut) on the defensive
team relative to the offensive receivers will end, provided
the ball is not in the air.
5. A defensive player may not contact an opponent above the
shoulders with the palm of his hand except to ward him off
on the line. This exception is permitted only if it is not
a repeated act against the same opponent during any one contact.
In all other cases the palms may be used on head, neck, or
face only to ward off or push an opponent in legal attempt
to get at the ball.
6. Any offensive player who pretends to possess the ball
or to whom a teammate pretends to give the ball may be tackled
provided he is crossing his scrimmage line between the ends
of a normal tight offensive line.
7. An offensive player who lines up more than two yards outside
his own tackle or a player who, at the snap, is in a backfield
position and subsequently takes a position more than two yards
outside a tackle may not clip an opponent anywhere nor may
he contact an opponent below the waist if the blocker is moving
toward the ball and if contact is made within an area five
yards on either side of the line.
8. A player of either team may block at any time provided
it is not pass interference, fair catch interference, or unnecessary
roughness.
9. A player may not bat or punch:
(a) A loose ball (in field of play) toward his opponent's
goal line or in any direction in either end zone.
(b) A ball in player possession.
Note: If there is any question as to whether a defender is
stripping or batting a ball in player possession, the official(s)
will rule the action as a legal act (stripping the ball).
Exception: A forward or backward pass may be batted, tipped,
or deflected in any direction at any time by either the offense
or the defense.
Note: A pass in flight that is controlled or caught may only
be thrown backward, if it is thrown forward it is considered
an illegal bat.
10. No player may deliberately kick any ball except as a
punt, dropkick, or placekick.
Forward pass
1. A forward pass may be touched or caught by any eligible
receiver. All members of the defensive team are eligible.
Eligible receivers on the offensive team are players on either
end of line (other than center, guard, or tackle) or players
at least one yard behind the line at the snap. A T-formation
quarterback is not eligible to receive a forward pass during
a play from scrimmage.
Exception: T-formation quarterback becomes eligible if pass
is previously touched by an eligible receiver.
2. An offensive team may make only one forward pass during
each play from scrimmage (Loss of 5 yards).
3. The passer must be behind his line of scrimmage (Loss
of down and five yards, enforced from the spot of pass).
4. Any eligible offensive player may catch a forward pass.
If a pass is touched by one eligible offensive player and
touched or caught by a second offensive player, pass completion
is legal. Further, all offensive players become eligible once
a pass is touched by an eligible receiver or any defensive
player.
5. The rules concerning a forward pass and ineligible receivers:
(a) If ball is touched accidentally by an ineligible receiver
on or behind his line: loss of five yards.
(b) If ineligible receiver is illegally downfield: loss of
five yards.
(c) If touched or caught (intentionally or accidentally) by
ineligible receiver beyond the line: loss of 5 yards.
6. The player who first controls and continues to maintain
control of a pass will be awarded the ball even though his
opponent later establishes joint control of the ball.
7. Any forward pass becomes incomplete and ball is dead if:
(a) Pass hits the ground or goes out of bounds.
(b) Pass hits the goal post or the crossbar of either team.
(c) Pass is caught by offensive player after touching ineligible
receiver.
(d) An illegal pass is caught by an offensive player.
8. A forward pass is complete when a receiver clearly possesses
the pass and touches the ground with both feet inbounds while
in possession of the ball. If a receiver would have landed
inbounds with both feet but is carried or pushed out of bounds
while maintaining possession of the ball, pass is complete
at the out-of-bounds spot.
9. If an eligible receiver goes out of bounds accidentally
or is legally forced out by a defender and returns to first
touch and catch a pass, the play is regarded as an incomplete
pass. Loss of 5 yards.
10. On a fourth down pass-when the offensive team is inside
the opposition's 20-yard line-an incomplete pass results in
a loss of down at the line of scrimmage.
11. If a personal foul is committed by the defense prior
to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15 yards from
the spot where ball becomes dead.
12. If a personal foul is committed by the offense prior
to the completion of a pass, the penalty is 15 yards from
the previous line of scrimmage.
INTENTIONAL GROUNDING OF FORWARD PASS
1. Intentional grounding of a forward pass is a foul: loss
of down and 10 yards from previous spot if passer is in the
field of play or loss of down at the spot of the foul if it
occurs more than 10 yards behind the line or safety if passer
is in his own end zone when ball is released.
2. Intentional grounding will be called when a passer, facing
an imminent loss of yardage due to pressure from the defense,
throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion.
3. Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer,
while out of the pocket and facing an imminent loss of yardage,
throws a pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage,
even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to
catch the ball (including if the ball lands out of bounds
over the sideline or end line).
PROTECTION OF PASSER
1. By interpretation, a pass begins when the passer-with possession
of ball-starts to bring his hand forward. If ball strikes
ground after this action has begun, play is ruled an incomplete
pass. If passer loses control of ball prior to his bringing
his hand forward, play is ruled a fumble.
2. No defensive player may run into a passer of a legal forward
pass after the ball has left his hand (15 yards). The Referee
must determine whether opponent had a reasonable chance to
stop his momentum during an attempt to block the pass or tackle
the passer while he still had the ball.
3. No defensive player who has an unrestricted path to the
quarterback may hit him flagrantly in the area of the knee(s)
when approaching in any direction.
4. Officials are to blow the play dead as soon as the quarterback
is clearly in the grasp and control of any tackler, and his
safety is in jeopardy.
PASS INTERFERENCE
1. There shall be no interference with a forward pass thrown
from behind the line. The restriction for the passing team
starts with the snap. The restriction on the defensive team
starts when the ball leaves the passer's hand. Both restrictions
end when the ball is touched by anyone.
2. The penalty for defensive pass interference is an automatic
first down at the spot of the foul. If interference is in
the end zone, it is first down for the offense on the defense's
1-yard line. If previous spot was inside the defense's 1-yard
line, penalty is half the distance to the goal line.
3. The penalty for offensive pass interference is 10 yards
from the previous spot.
4. It is pass interference by either team when any player
movement beyond the offensive line significantly hinders the
progress of an eligible player or such player's opportunity
to catch the ball during a legal forward pass. When players
are competing for position to make a play on the ball, any
contact by hands, arms, or body shall be considered incidental
unless prohibited. Prohibited conduct shall be when a player
physically restricts or impedes the opponent in such a manner
that is visually evident and materially affects the opponent's
opportunity to gain position or retain his position to catch
the ball. If a player has gained position, he shall not be
considered to have impeded or restricted his opponent in a
prohibited manner if all of his actions are a bona fide effort
to go to and catch the ball. Provided an eligible player is
not interfered with in such a manner, the following exceptions
to pass interference will prevail:
(a) If neither player is looking for the ball and there is
incidental contact in the act of moving to the ball that does
not materially affect the route of an eligible player, there
is no interference. If there is any question whether the incidental
contact materially affects the route, the ruling shall be
no interference.
Note: Inadvertent tripping is not a foul in this situation.
(b) Any eligible player looking for and intent on playing
the ball who initiates contact, however severe, while attempting
to move to the spot of comple tion or interception will not
be called for interference.
(c) Any eligible player who makes contact, however severe,
with one or more eligible players while looking for and making
a genuine attempt to catch or bat a reachable ball, will not
be called for interference.
(d) It must be remembered that defensive players have as much
right to the ball as offensive eligible receivers.
(e) Pass interference by the defense is not to be called when
the forward pass is clearly uncatchable.
(f) Note: There is no defensive pass interference behind the
line.
Backward pass
1. Any pass not forward is regarded as a backward pass. A
pass parallel to the line is a backward pass. A runner may
pass backward at any time. Any player on either team may catch
the pass or recover the ball after it touches the ground.
2. A backward pass that strikes the ground can be recovered
and advanced by either team.
3. A backward pass caught in the air can be advanced by either
team.
4. A backward pass in flight may not be batted forward by
an offensive player.
Fumble
1. The distinction between a fumble and a muff should be kept
in mind in considering rules about fumbles. A fumble is the
loss of player possession of the ball. A muff is the touching
of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to
obtain possession.
2. A fumble may be advanced by any player on either team
regardless of whether recovered before or after ball hits
the ground.
3. A fumble that goes forward and out of bounds will return
to the fumbling team at the spot of the fumble unless the
ball goes out of bounds in the opponent's end zone. In this
case, it is a touchback.
4. On a play from scrimmage, if an offensive player fumbles
anywhere on the field during fourth down, only the fumbling
player is permitted to recover and/or advance the ball. If
any player fumbles after the two-minute warning in a half,
only the fumbling player is permitted to recover and/or advance
the ball. If recovered by any other offensive player, the
ball is dead at the spot of the fumble unless it is recovered
behind the spot of the fumble. In that case, the ball is dead
at the spot of recovery. Any defensive player may recover
and/or advance any fumble at any time.
Kicks from scrimmage
1. Any kick from scrimmage must be made from behind the line
to be legal.
2. Any punt or missed field goal that touches a goal post
is dead.
3. During a kick from scrimmage, only the end men, as eligible
receivers on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap,
are permitted to go beyond the line before the ball is kicked.
Exception: An eligible receiver who, at the snap, is aligned
or in motion behind the line and more than one yard outside
the end man on his side of the line, clearly making him the
outside receiver, replaces that end man as the player eligible
to go downfield after the snap. All other members of the kicking
team must remain at the line of scrimmage until the ball has
been kicked.
4. Any punt that is blocked and does not cross the line of
scrimmage can be recovered and advanced by either team. However,
if offensive team recovers it must make the yardage necessary
for its first down to retain possession if punt was on fourth
down.
5. The kicking team may never advance its own kick even though
legal recovery is made beyond the line of scrimmage. Possession
only.
6. A member of the receiving team may not run into or rough
a kicker who kicks from behind his line unless contact is:
(a) Incidental to and after he had touched ball in flight.
(b) Caused by kicker's own motions.
(c) Occurs during a quick kick, or a kick made after a run,
or after kicker recovers a loose ball. Ball is loose when
kicker muffs snap or snap hits ground.
(d) Defender is blocked into kicker.
The penalty for running into the kicker is 5 yards. For roughing
the kicker: 15 yards, an automatic first down and disqualification
if flagrant.
7. If a member of the kicking team attempting to down the
ball on or inside opponent's 5-yard line carries the ball
into the end zone, it is a touchback.
8. Fouls during a punt are enforced from the previous spot
(line of scrimmage).
Exception: Illegal touching, illegal fair catch, invalid
fair catch signal, and fouls by the receiving team during
loose ball after ball is kicked.
9. While the ball is in the air or rolling on the ground
following a punt or field goal attempt and receiving team
commits a foul before gaining possession, receiving team will
retain possession and will be penalized for its foul.
10. It will be illegal for a defensive player to jump or
stand on any player, or be picked up by a teammate or to use
a hand or hands on a teammate to gain additional height in
an attempt to block a kick (Penalty: 15 yards, unsportsmanlike
conduct).
11. A punted ball remains a kicked ball until it is declared
dead or in possession of either team.
12. Any member of the punting team may down the ball anywhere
in the field of play. However, it is illegal touching (Official's
time out and receiver's ball at spot of illegal touching).
This foul does not offset any foul by receivers during the
down.
13. Defensive team may advance all kicks from scrimmage (including
unsuccessful field goal) whether or not ball crosses defensive
team's goal line. Rules pertaining to kicks from scrimmage
apply until defensive team gains possession.
Fair catch
1. The member of the receiving team must raise one arm a full
length above his head and wave it from side to side while
kick is in flight. (Failure to give proper sign: receivers'
ball five yards behind spot of signal.)
Note: It is legal for the receiver to shield his eyes from
the sun by raising one hand no higher than the helmet.
2. No opponent may interfere with the fair catcher, the ball,
or his path to the ball. Penalty: 15 yards from spot of foul
and fair catch is awarded.
3. A player who signals for a fair catch is not required
to catch the ball. However, if a player signals for a fair
catch, he may not block or initiate contact with any player
on the kicking team until the ball touches a player. Penalty:
snap 15 yards behind spot of foul.
4. If ball hits ground or is touched by member of kicking
team in flight, fair catch signal is off and all rules for
a kicked ball apply.
5. Any undue advance by a fair catch receiver is delay of
game. No specific distance is specified for undue advance
as ball is dead at spot of catch. If player comes to a reasonable
stop, no penalty. For violation, five yards.
6. If time expires while ball is in play and a fair catch
is awarded, receiving team may choose to extend the period
with one fair catch kick down. However, placekicker may not
use tee.
Foul on last play of half or game
1. On a foul by defense on last play of half or game, the
down is replayed if penalty is accepted.
2. On a foul by the offense on last play of half or game,
the down is not replayed and the play in which the foul is
committed is nullified.
Exception: Fair catch interference, foul following change
of possession, illegal touching. No score by offense counts.
Spot of enforcement of foul
1. There are four basic spots at which a penalty for a foul
is enforced:
(a) Spot of foul: The spot where the foul is committed.
(b) Previous spot: The spot where the ball was put in play.
(c) Spot of snap, pass, fumble, return kick, or free kick:
The spot where the act connected with the foul occurred.
(d) Succeeding spot: The spot where the ball next would be
put in play if no distance penalty were to be enforced.
Exception: If foul occurs after a touchdown and before the
whistle for a try-for-point, succeeding spot is spot of next
kickoff.
2. All fouls committed by offensive team behind the line
of scrimmage and in the field of play shall be penalized from
the previous spot.
3. When spot of enforcement for fouls involving defensive
holding or illegal use of hands by the defense is behind the
line of scrimmage, any penalty yardage to be assessed on that
play shall be measured from the line if the foul occurred
beyond the line.
Double foul
1. If there is a double foul during a down in which there
is a change of possession, the team last gaining possession
may keep the ball unless its foul was committed prior to the
change of possession.
2. If double foul occurs after a change of possession, the
defensive team retains the ball at the spot of its foul or
dead ball spot.
3. If one of the fouls of a double foul involves disqualification,
that player must be removed, but no penalty yardage is to
be assessed.
4. If the kickers foul during a kick before possession changes
and the receivers foul after possession changes, the receivers
will retain the ball after enforce-ment of its foul.
Penalty enforced on following kickoff
1. When a team scores by touchdown, field goal, extra point,
or safety and either team commits a personal foul, unsportsmanlike
conduct, or obvious unfair act during the down, the penalty
will be assessed on the following kickoff.
EMERGENCIES AND UNFAIR ACTS
Emergencies-Policy
The National Football League requires all League personnel,
including game officials, League office employees, players,
coaches, and other club employees to use best effort to see
that each game-preseason, regular season, and postseason-is
played to its conclusion. The League recognizes, however,
that emergencies may arise that make a game's completion impossible
or inadvisable. Such circumstances may include, but are not
limited to, severely inclement weather, natural or manmade
disaster, power failure, and spectator interference. Games
should be suspended, cancelled, postponed, or terminated when
circumstances exist such that comencement or continuation
of play would pose a threat to the safety of participants
or spectators.
Authority of Commissioner's Office
1. Authority to cancel, postpone, or terminate games is vested
only in the Commissioner and the League President (other League
office representatives and referees may suspend play temporarily;
see point No. 3 under this section and point No. 1 under "Authority
of Referee" below). The following definitions apply:
Cancel: To cancel a game is to nullify it either before or
after it begins and to make no provision for rescheduling
it or for including its score or other performance statistics
in League records.
Postpone: To postpone a game is (a) to defer its starting
time to a later date, or (b) to suspend it after play has
begun and to make provision to resume at a later date with
all scores and other performance statistics up to the point
of postponement added to those achieved in the resumed portion
of the game.
Terminate: To terminate a game is to end it short of a full
60 minutes of play, to record it officially as a completed
game, and to make no provision to resume it at a later date.
The Commissioner or League President may terminate a game
in an emergency if, in his opinion, it is reasonable to project
that its resumption (a) would not change its ultimate result
or (b) would not adversely affect any other interteam competitive
issue.
Forfeit: The Commissioner, (except in cases of disciplinary
action; see last section on "Removing Team from Field"),
League President, and their representatives, including referees,
are not authorized unilaterally to declare forfeits. A forfeit
occurs only when a game is not played because of the failure
or refusal of one team to participate. In that event, the
other team, if ready and willing to play, is the winner by
a score of 2-0.
2. If an emergency arises that may require cancellation,
postponement, or termination (see above), the highest ranking
representative from the Commissioner's office working the
game in a "control" capacity will consult with the
Commissioner, League President, or game-day duty officer designated
by the League (by telephone, if that person is not in attendance)
concerning such decision. If circumstances warrant, the League
representative should also attempt to consult with the weather
bureau and with appropriate security personnel of the League,
club, stadium, and local authorities. If no representative
from the Commissioner's office is working the game in a "control"
capacity, the referee will be in charge (see "Authority
of Referee" below).
3. In circumstances where safety is of immediate concern,
the Commissioner's-office representative may, after consulting
with the referee, authorize a temporary suspension in play
and, if warranted, removal of the participants from the playing
field. The representative should be mindful of the safety
of spectators, players, game officials, nonplayer personnel
in the bench areas, and other field-level personnel such as
photographers and cheerleaders.
4. If possible, the League-office representative should consult
with authorized re- presentatives of the two participating
clubs before any decision involving cancellation, postponement,
or termination is made by the Commissioner or League President.
5. If the Commissioner or League President decides to cancel,
postpone, or terminate a game, his representative at the game
or the game-day duty officer will then determine the method(s)
for announcing such decision, e.g., by public-address announcement
over referee's wireless microphone, by public-address announcement
by home club, or by communication to radio, television, and
other news media.
Authority of referee
1. If a referee determines that an emergency warrants immediate
removal of participants from the playing field for safety
reasons, he may do so on his own authority. If, however, circumstances
allow him the time, he must reach the highest ranking full-time
League office representative working at the game in a "control"
capacity or the game-day duty officer designated by the League
(by telephone, if that person is not in attendance) and discuss
the actual or potential emergency with such representative
or duty officer. That representative or duty officer then
will make the final decision on removal of participants from
the field or obtain a decision from the Commissioner or League
President.
2. If a referee removes participants from the playing field
under No. 1 above, he may order them to their respective bench
areas or to their locker rooms, whichever is appropriate in
the circumstances.
3. After appropriate consultation under No. 1 above, the
referee must advise the two participating head coaches of
the nature of the emergency and the action contemplated (if
the decision has not yet been reached) or of the final decision.
4. The referee must not, before a decision is reached, make
an announcement on his microphone concerning the possibility
of a cancellation, postponement, or termination unless instructed
to do so by an appropriate representative of the Commissioner's
office.
5. The referee must not discuss a forfeit with head coaches
or club personnel and must not use that term over the referee's
microphone (see definition of forfeit under No. 1 of "Authority
of Commissioner's Office" above).
6. The referee must not assess an unsportsmanlike-conduct
penalty on the home team for actions of fans that cause or
contribute to an emergency.
7. The referee should be mindful of the safety of not only
players and officials, but also of the spectators and other
nonparticipants.
8. If an emergency involves spectator interference (for example,
nonparticipants on the field or thrown objects), the referee
immediately should contact the appropriate club or League
representative for additional security assistance, including,
if applicable, involvement of the League's security representative(s)
assigned to the game.
9. The referee may order the resumption of play when he deems
conditions safe for all concerned and, if circumstances warrant,
after consultation with appropriate representatives of the
Commissioner's office.
10. Under no circumstances is the referee authorized to cancel,
postpone, terminate, or declare forfeiture of a game unilaterally.
PROCEDURES FOR STARTING AND RESUMING GAMES
Subject to the points of authority listed above, League personnel
and referees will be guided by the following procedures for
starting and resuming games that are affected by emergencies.
1. If, because of an emergency, a regular-season or postseason
game is not started at its scheduled time and cannot be played
at any later time that same day, the game nevertheless must
be played on a subsequent date to be determined by the Commissioner.
2. If an emergency threatens to occur during the playing
of a game (for example, an incoming tropical storm), the starting
time of the game will not be moved to an earlier time unless
there is clearly sufficient time to make an orderly change.
3. All games that are suspended temporarily and resumed on
the same day, and all suspended games that are postponed to
a later date, will be resumed at the point of suspension.
On suspension, the referee will call timeout and make a record
of the following: team possessing the ball, direction in which
its offense was headed, position of the ball on the field,
down, distance, period, time remaining in the period, and
any other pertinent information required for an orderly and
equitable resumption of play.
4. For regular-season postponements, the Commissioner will
make every effort to set the game for no later than two days
after its originally scheduled date and at the same site.
If unable to schedule at the same site, he will select an
appropriate alternative site. If it is impossible to schedule
the game within two days after its original date, the Commissioner
will attempt to schedule it on the Tuesday of the next calendar
week. The Commissioner will keep in mind the potential for
competitive inequities if one or both of the involved clubs
has already been scheduled for a game close to the Tuesday
of that week (for example, a Thursday game).
5. For postseason postponements, the Commissioner will make
every effort to set the game as soon as possible after its
originally scheduled date and at the same site. If unable
to schedule at the same site, he will select an appropriate
alternative site.
6. Whenever postponement is attributable to negligence by
a club, the negligent club is responsible for all home club
costs and expenses, including, subject to approval by the
Commissioner, gate receipts and television-contract income.
[See Section 19.11 (C) of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws.]
7. Each home club is strictly responsible for having the
playing surface of its stadium well maintained and suitable
for NFL play.
UNFAIR ACTS
Commissioner's authority
The Commissioner has sole authority to investigate and to
take appropriate disciplinary or corrective measures if any
club action, nonparticipant interference, or emergency occurs
in an NFL game which he deems so unfair or outside the accepted
tactics encountered in professional football that such action
has a major effect on the result of a game.
No club protests
The authority and measures provided for in this section (UNFAIR
ACTS) do not constitute a protest machinery for NFL clubs
to dispute the result of a game. The Commissioner will conduct
an investigation under this section only to review an act
or occurrence that he deems so unfair that the result of the
game in question may be inequitable to one of the participating
teams. The Commissioner will not apply his authority under
this section when a club registers a complaint concerning
judgmental errors or routine errors of omission by game officials.
Games involving such complaints will continue to stand as
completed.
Penalties for unfair acts
The Commissioner's powers under this section (UNFAIR ACTS)
include the imposition of monetary fines and draft choice
forfeitures, suspension of persons involved, and, if appropriate,
the reversal of a game's result or the rescheduling of a game,
either from the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary
act occurred. In the event of rescheduling a game, the Commissioner
will be guided by the procedures specified above ("Procedures
for Starting and Resuming Games" under EMERGENCIES).
In all cases, the Commissioner will conduct a full investigation,
including the opportunity for hearings, use of game videotape,
and any other procedures he deems appropriate.
Removing team from field No player, coach, or other person
affiliated with a club may remove that club's team from the
field during the playing of any game, including preseason,
except at the direction of the referee. Any club violating
this rule will be subject to disciplinary action by the Commissioner,
including possible game forfeiture and sole liability for
financial losses suffered by the opposing club and any other
affected member clubs of the League. [See Section 9.1 (E)
of the NFL Constitution and Bylaws.]
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