What happens if... (football)

[edro]

A player is running for a touchdown in the wide open field of play.
He is past the last defender and has ~40 yards left to run.
A fan runs onto the field and tackles him.
While he is on the ground, a defender catches up and touches him.

Would he be ruled down?
Would they replay the down?
Would they award a touchdown?

Would it matter if the fan was naked?

Just curious...

 

[Newbian]

I would assume the fan would be signed on to the defenders defensive team.

 

[tynopik]

A player is running for a touchdown in the wide open field of play.
He is past the last defender and has ~40 yards left to run.
A fan runs onto the field and tackles him.
While he is on the ground, a defender catches up and touches him.

Would he be ruled down?
Would they replay the down?
Would they award a touchdown?

Would it matter if the fan was naked?

Just curious...

don't remember the specifics, but this has actually happened (except it was a coach instead of a fan)

they were awarded a TD

in cases of patently unfair acts, refs have wide latitude to do pretty much whatever they want

 

[Gigantopithecus]

Drinking after yet another loss to Florida in a bowl game?

 

[Gibson486]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090207002650AAbnQQo

 

[Gibson486]

I would assume the fan would be signed on to the defenders defensive team.

Hahahahaha... "No, we signed him on the roster 30 seconds ago..."

 

[BoomerD]

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/20_Rule17_Emergencies_UnfairActs.pdf

NON-PLAYER ON FIELD
Article 1 If any non-player, including photographers, reporters, employees, police or spectators, enters the field of play or end zones, and in the judgment of an official said party or parties interfere with the play, the Referee, after consulting his crew (13-1-7 and 15-1-6), shall enforce any such penalty or score as the interference warrants.
FIELD CONTROL
Article 2 If spectators enter the field and/or interfere with the progress of the game in such a manner that in the opinion of the Referee the game cannot continue, he shall declare time out. In such a case he shall record the number of the down, distance to be gained, and position of ball on field. He shall also secure from the line judge the playing time remaining and record it. He shall then order the home club through its management to have the field cleared, and when it is cleared and order restored and the safety of the spectators, players and officials is assured to the satisfaction of the Referee, the game must continue even if it is necessary to use lights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUQ_enyo7S8

 

[edro]

Drinking after yet another loss to Florida in a bowl game?

Ha! No... I was cleaning the house while watching this year's bowl game.
This year's bowl wasn't even a real bowl... it was a gift bowl to make money off OSU/Florida fans.

I just keep watching all these Rose Bowl run backs and it piqued my interest.

This is how bowl games should be. Offense offense offense.

 

[MotionMan]

don't remember the specifics, but this has actually happened (except it was a coach instead of a fan)

they were awarded a TD

The most famous one was a player:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSteCSinjTs

in cases of patently unfair acts, refs have wide latitude to do pretty much whatever they want

The ref should award a TD.

MotionMan