NFL Alters Rule Over What Makes A Catch in Wake of Dez Bryant Controversy

Had Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant been credited with a catch late in the game against the Green Bay Packers who knows how the rest of the post season would have played out. It was not deemed a catch though angering Dallas fans everywhere and sparking a conversation over what a catch is.

Most assumed the league would have to review the rule in the off-season and it appears like the league has--just not in the way most expected.

via Reddit

Most assumed that the league would change the rule in a way that Bryant's play would be deemed a catch, but that was not the case at all. Instead the language of the rule was tweaked to make it clear that it was not a catch.

The rule did say that a football move had to be made in order for something to be a catch. Some argued that when Bryant reached out for the goal line he did just that. Now the rule reads that a receiver must establish himself as a runner.

Okay, but what does that mean when you catch a ball falling down? Hang on to the ball.

“We spent a lot of time on it,” said Rams coach Jeff Fisher, a committee member. “I think it really clears things up. From a coaches’ standpoint, if you’re going to the ground, hang onto the ball.

[ChicagoSunTimes]

Loading...