momentum exception

[fudilligas]

B intercepts A1's pass at the the B4 yardline and his momentum carries him into his end zone where he fumbles and the ball is recovered by A2.  Does the momentum rule allow the ball to be returned to B4's yardline or is A2 credited with a TD as per Fundimental 1-8 where it states that possession of a live ball in the opponents end zone is always a TD. Does the momentum rule trump the fundamental?    ?

[Ump33]

B intercepts A1's pass at the the B4 yardline and his momentum carries him into his end zone where he fumbles and the ball is recovered by A2.  Does the momentum rule allow the ball to be returned to B4's yardline or is A2 credited with a TD as per Fundimental 1-8 where it states that possession of a live ball in the opponents end zone is always a TD. Does the momentum rule trump the fundamental?    ?

Momentum Rule states "the ball must be declared dead in his team's possession ..." In your example, B fumbled and A gained possession ... Touchdown for A

[VALJ]

Fundamental I-8: Possession of a live ball in the opponent's end zone is always a touchdown.

[UmpireFromFlorida]

Well done Ump33.  Short and to the point.

[maven]

Does the momentum rule trump the fundamental?

Just to focus on this question: it's called a "fundamental" for a reason. If you find yourself wondering whether something "trumps" a fundamental, rest easy that the answer is "no."

[bbeagle]

Fundamental I-8: Possession of a live ball in the opponent's end zone is always a touchdown.

Possession of a live ball (where the LIVE BALL is) in the opponent's end zone.... is always a touchdown

or

Possession of a live ball (where the PLAYER is) in the opponent's end zone... is always a touchdown

or

Possession of a live ball (where the BALL and PLAYER are) in the opponent's end zone... is always a touchdown

[maven]

Possession of a live ball (which is) in the opponents' end zone is always a touchdown.

[VALJ]

Possession of a live ball (where the LIVE BALL is) in the opponent's end zone.... is always a touchdown

or

Possession of a live ball (where the PLAYER is) in the opponent's end zone... is always a touchdown

or

Possession of a live ball (where the BALL and PLAYER are) in the opponent's end zone... is always a touchdown

.

For TD purposes, it usually doesn't matter where the player's body is.  Has the ball broken the plane of the goal line?

To borrow from Ralph: for bonus points, can anyone come up with a situation where it DOES matter where the player's body is when the ball breaks the goal line?  Hint: think "goal line extended"...

[HLinNC]

When the runner leaves his feet and dives while crossing OOB.

[VALJ]

Well done, HL!

[Ralph Damren]

The history of the "Mo' rule" : Prior to 1982 if a defender intercepted a pass inside his 5 and his momentum carried him back into his endzone where he tipped over ,it would become a safety-very unfair. The only alternative was to rule "the force of the ball " drove him back into the endzone -very unlikely -you could rule it a touchback . Then along came "Mo'", a comprimise of sorts, and giving B/R the ball at the point of possession. The intent was not to give B/R blanket protection for any fumble or flag that might later occur.