(Not so) Tricky question

[dammitbobby]

Had this happen to us last week in a JV game.  Turns out we got it right (thankfully) but when telling others about it, a startling number had an incorrect ruling.  Not gonna lie, my first, initial reaction was what they said, someone was a crew saver and got it right for us. 

A's ball 4th and 5 from the B5.  Bal is snapped, handed off to runner, A44, who fumbles at the B1.  Ball bounces into the end zone where A28 recovers.

Ruling?

[Kalle]

I assume you meant to say "4th and goal." Team B 1/10 at B-1. Play clock is 25, game clock starts on the snap.

[ElvisLives]

We have had this rule a very long time. I am dismayed that folks would not get this.
4th down fumble rule. When recovered by a Team A player other than the fumbler, the ball is dead, and returned to the spot of the fumble. With no other factors to change the outcome (like the penalty for a foul), the ball belongs to Team B, 1/10, at the B-1. Clock starts on the snap. 25 seconds play clock starts on the R's signal.

Some folks have stopped giving the 4th down fumble rule 'reminder' signal (rolling arms) before the snap on 4th down. No, you don't see it in the NFL - they are expected to know this situation each time it arises, without a 'reminder' signal. So, many FBS folks have, in kind, adopted that philosophy. I say anything that helps us get things right is OK.

[JasonTX]

Not sure how we are 4th and 5 at the B-5.  With that said, don't forget this same rule applies on the Try.

[dammitbobby]

Yes 4th and goal is what I meant.

We still give the signal every time; however it happens so rarely that I think we don't appreciate and internalize what that signal is really telling us.  I don't know a way to fix that.  Having experienced it, I don't think I'll get it wrong in the future.

Where I was getting it wrong, is that I assumed it was going to be a touchback, since the ball was recovered in the end zone, and would be an immediate dead ball... which is technically correct, but only (the first) part of the exception.

7-2-2-a Exception 2:
On fourth down before a change of team possession, when a Team A fumble is caught or recovered by a Team A player other than the fumbler, the ball is dead. If the catch or recovery is beyond the spot of the fumble, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. If the catch or recovery is behind the spot of the fumble, the ball remains at the spot of the catch or recovery.

[Covid 22]

There aren't many rules that come about because of one player or one particular play.   On the spur of the moment, I can only think of three that brought about changes or significant rule adjustments.   I will start with this one and call it the Snake.   Name the player and what he did to get a new rule made.  Then post another one if you can.

[dammitbobby]

Ken Stabler,  'fumbled' the ball forward

also:  Tom brady, tuck rule

[ElvisLives]

We still give the signal every time; however it happens so rarely that I think we don't appreciate and internalize what that signal is really telling us.  I don't know a way to fix that.  Having experienced it, I don't think I'll get it wrong in the future.
On 4th downs, with or without a reminder signal, I always say to myself, "Only the fumbler... only the fumbler." That reminds me of enough of the rule that we can get it right, should it happen.

Where I was getting it wrong, is that I assumed it was going to be a touchback, since the ball was recovered in the end zone, and would be an immediate dead ball... which is technically correct, but only (the first) part of the exception.
It would never be a touchback. The attacking team put the ball in the opponent's end zone where it became dead in their (attacking team's) possession. On 1st thru 3rd down, or after a change of team possession, that's a touchdown. Now, with the 4th down fumble rule, the ball is returned to the spot of the fumble. Before the 4DFR, this was a touchdown, too. But, as others have mentioned Oakland Raiders' Ken Stabler (arguably) intentionally lost possession of the ball, which traveled forward, where a teammate recovered the ball for a TD as time expired in the game, to win. NFL changed the rule quickly. NCAA followed some years later.

[Phantomref]

And the Oakland player recovering the ball was Dave Casper.

[dammitbobby]

many thanks for clarifying that for me. Always learn something new here.  I feel like an idiot sometimes (ok, a lot of times) when I answer a question or put forth what my call/result of a play would be, and I'm wrong, but I am always trying to learn and get better. 

And that's a great practice to get into, 'only the fumbler, only the fumbler...' Def gonna do that one.

[Kalle]

Also remember that if the QB muffs the snap and a RB recovers the ball, the ball is still live. I've seen experienced referees blow this.

[SPOTexas]

also:  Tom brady, tuck rule

That rule existed before it happened. Nobody outside the NFL knew it.