Taking a Knee

[GoodScout]

Thank you.

In a one score game I have no problem with the defense contending the snap hoping for a bobble or fumble.  I understand that my opinion is not universal, including among coaches.

In this scenario, it's up to the O-line to protect their QB. 

Unless the hit on the QB is especially egregious or very late I am reluctant to throw a flag.

I had a subvaristy game end with a two score lead when the offense took a knee from shotgun.  A defensive end come around and leveled the running back who was standing there watch the QB kneel.  I threw a flag, stopped the clock, and asked the U to walk off 15 yards.  The coach didn't like it, the fans didn't like it, one of the other officials didn't like it.  I chopped and wound and the game ended without another snap.

Here's the actual play. I think since the QB was already down and the play was dead a DBPF is in order.
The crew actually called the defense for a PF and then added offsetting USCs.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k8fg9dc4tqq35zlc95ih2/IMG_0842.mov?rlkey=rlf2e6p35gip64wldghz44lh4&st=wjg2y8ss&dl=0

[refjeff]

In a game that's clearly decided, if the offense is concerned about the defense firing off, then run a dive play up the middle instead of taking a knee.

Miracle at the Meadowlands, November 19, 1978.

Leading 17-12 with less than 30 seconds, NY Giants QB Joe Pisarcik mishandled a hand off to fullback Larry Czonka on a dive.  Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Herm Edwards recovered the fumble and ran 26 yards for what would be the game winning TD.

I don't think anyone ever "took-a-knee" until after this game.

[dammitbobby]

For the video, keep in mind that for some reason it's distorted in that it seems to slow down, and not be in realtime.

In a 14-7 game, I'd have a flag for a late hit but he was also IMO making a genuine effort to get to the QB and O-Line needs to do its job here.

I don't have a UNS on anyone except B54 (taunting), assuming A said something to warrant a UNS... but I'm not going to fault him for defending him teammate in this situation.

[refjeff]

Here's the actual play. I think since the QB was already down and the play was dead a DBPF is in order.
The crew actually called the defense for a PF and then added offsetting USCs.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k8fg9dc4tqq35zlc95ih2/IMG_0842.mov?rlkey=rlf2e6p35gip64wldghz44lh4&st=wjg2y8ss&dl=0

I'm not flagging that "hit" on the QB.

[dammitbobby]

I can see that, but it was the second action attempting to get to the QB when he was obviously down that I felt was unnecessary.

[ncwingman]

Miracle at the Meadowlands, November 19, 1978.

Leading 17-12 with less than 30 seconds, NY Giants QB Joe Pisarcik mishandled a hand off to fullback Larry Czonka on a dive.  Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Herm Edwards recovered the fumble and ran 26 yards for what would be the game winning TD.

I don't think anyone ever "took-a-knee" until after this game.

I believe "taking a knee" wasn't in the rule book until 1987. You still had to be down by contact and couldn't just give yourself up.

The play at the time involved the QB rolling on the ground and waiting for a DB to land on him, risking injury. To avoid the QB getting hurt, the instead gave the ball to Csonka to get hurt... or fumble, in this case.

[bossman72]

Here's the actual play. I think since the QB was already down and the play was dead a DBPF is in order.
The crew actually called the defense for a PF and then added offsetting USCs.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k8fg9dc4tqq35zlc95ih2/IMG_0842.mov?rlkey=rlf2e6p35gip64wldghz44lh4&st=wjg2y8ss&dl=0

What 78 did was perfectly fine.  54 is a foul for late hit.
Again, they have every right to do this.  If 78 swats that ball out, he earned it.