How many of you would call this one? (Topic moved)

[Grant - AR]

This topic was merged with a similar topic in the General Discussion section.  You can find the merged topic here:

http://www.refstripes.com/forum/index.php?topic=8277.0

[TxSkyBolt]

Not me.

[fbrefga]

I would not have flagged it.

[takemeaway10]

Under what rule? 

[bigjohn]

The committee is encouraging a renewed emphasis by both coaches and officials on other types of contact with and to the helmet, which are prohibited by the existing three rules cited above, as well as the unnecessary roughness provisions of Rule 9, which include:
• Blows to the Head by the Defender – Any act by a defensive player using the hand(s) to slap the opponent’s head is illegal. A blocker may not initiate contact with his arm or hand against an opponent above the opponent’s shoulder.
• Initiating Contact to the Head – It is illegal for a member of either team to use any other
part of the body or equipment to initiate contact to the head. Contact to the helmet of
another player could be one of the three specific illegal helmet contact fouls, or it could
also be a personal foul for unnecessary roughness as defined by Rule 9-4-3g. This is
not limited to acts by the defense (such as the defensive back making the “big hit” on
the receiver, or the linebacker making the blow against a back out of the backfield), but
such prohibition against contact to the helmet extends to all players on all parts of the
field. When in doubt, it should be a foul.

[mbyron]

Suppose that the team had been warned after a prior TD not to employ that gesture. Then they do it again. How many of you have a flag then?

One report of the story mentions that the flag was, in part, for failing to follow an official's instructions. I'm inferring that this was a second or third offense in this game, and the first one to be flagged.

[RickKY]

I have passed on excessive or prolonged celebrations before that seem to have been more than this celebration.  Football is a high energy, emotional sport at times, and celebrating big plays is part of that.  I tend to talk players down from doing certain things.  That being said, I cannot fault this official for this call.

[takemeaway10]

Suppose that the team had been warned after a prior TD not to employ that gesture. Then they do it again. How many of you have a flag then?

One report of the story mentions that the flag was, in part, for failing to follow an official's instructions. I'm inferring that this was a second or third offense in this game, and the first one to be flagged.

Then I'd have a problem with that official, since I don't see why the kid would be warned about that gesture the first time.

[losthog]

If the back judge on your crew make this call what do you say to the coaches if you are a HL or LJ?

[mbyron]

Then I'd have a problem with that official, since I don't see why the kid would be warned about that gesture the first time.

Fair enough, and what counts as "excessive" is bound to vary from place to place. My point was that a brief video clip doesn't provide the context of the call. And in Ohio, officials are not permitted to discuss anything with the media, so the official's "side" is unavailable.

I was impressed by the savvy remarks of the AD.

[KDJBBBJ]

Good question.  If was said earlier that they had been warned then it makes it a lot easier to remid the coach that they had been warned for this earlier. If no prior warning it makes it tough. I might tell him I will check with the backjudge to see what he saw.  Also after watching it a couple of times one of the players may have pointed at the fans as he was running off and maybe they werew the other teams fans??

[chymechowder]

Then I'd have a problem with that official, since I don't see why the kid would be warned about that gesture the first time.

Exactly. 

Is this any different than a QB pumping his fist after a long completion?  (OMG, the QB and the center just high-fived each other. and now they're running down the field and slapping each other on the back!  they're DRAWING ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES!!)  ugh.

And I think part of the problem is that other officials, for fear of criticizing their brethren, take the easy way out and say, "Personally, I would pass on this. But everyone has their own definition of 'excessive' ."  sorry, but that's a cop out to me.

We're all going to miss things. and I would never criticize an official for a single mistake or missed call during a play.   you could be screened out. you could take your eyes off the play for a moment. or hell, you could SEE the play and your brain just doesn't process what your eyes are telling you.  that happens. we make mistakes.

but flags like this don't fall into that category.  as a collective group, we need to stop the sanctimonious madness!     no more ticky tack unsportsmanlike fouls!

[bigjohn]

Amen, Ralph!  That is you isn't it Ralph?

Just between you and me Ralph, did you see any IHC after the catch?

[mbyron]

And I think part of the problem is that other officials, for fear of criticizing their brethren, take the easy way out and say, "Personally, I would pass on this. But everyone has their own definition of 'excessive' ."  sorry, but that's a cop out to me.

Cop out? Maybe so. OK, how about this: personally, I would pass on this, but the commissioner of my state association has announced publicly that the officials made the correct call.

What's an official to do?

[bigjohn]

I bet the commisioner would have had said the exact thing if the officials had passed on that call as well.