During the off-season, the NFL competition committee reviewed the requirements of a completed pass. Removing phrases like “make a football move” and replacing it with “establish himself as a runner,” the NFL determined they cleared up the misunderstanding. Unfortunately, this new rule change unintentionally made the call on the field much more subjective and therefore inconsistent.

A Brief History of Controversy

Many associate Calvin Johnson’s reversed game-winning catch as the start of this controversy.

However, the original ruling of the play appeared back in 2004. In a division game between the Bears and the Lions, Bernard Berrian appeared to have caught a touchdown that would have tied the game, however, his touchdown was reversed upon review by the referees.

It has been five years since many believe Johnson was “robbed” of his touchdown, but Dez Bryant’s “non-catch” in the playoffs reignited the controversy.

Rule 8-1-3: Completed or Intercepted Pass

The main difference in the new rules versus old rules appears in Rule 8-1-3.

A player who makes a catch may advance the ball. A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) if a player, who is inbounds: (a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and

(b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and

(c) maintains control of the ball after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, until he has clearly become a runner (see 3-2-7 Item 2).

Rule 8.1.3 (c) is the main reason for controversy using the phrase: “clearly become a runner.” This is explained in Item 2 of Rule 3-2-7.

A player becomes a runner when he is capable of avoiding or warding off impending contact of an opponent.

This is an extremely subjective rule. Every case is different, but when exactly can a player be determined to be able to “ward off impending contact?”

Another reason for controversy is that there is an established difference between standing catches and falling catches. This is outlined in Rule 8-1-3 Item 1:

If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball until after his initial contact with the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete.

This rule amendment leaves too much for interpretation in today’s NFL. Last week versus the Bears, Golden Tate caught a pass in the endzone and the ball bounced into the air right into a defender’s hands. Many believed this was an interception, but the NFL reviewed the play and ruled that Golden Tate secured the ball with his hands, touched the ground with both feet in the endzone, and clearly became a runner therefore ending the play as a reversed touchdown.

The same cannot be said for Devonta Freeman whose touchdown versus the Redskins was reversed when he took two steps and dove into the endzone.

These rules are a recipe for confusion and they need to be addressed in the next NFL competition committee meeting.