September 18, 2000
EXPLANATION OF SAFETY CALL IN ATLANTA-CAROLINA GAME
A fourth-quarter fumble recovery that was run into the end zone by the defense and ruled a safety in Sunday’s Atlanta-Carolina game has raised questions about this seldom-used NFL rule.
Late in the fourth quarter, Falcons running back JAMAL ANDERSON was running towards the Carolina end zone when he was tackled by two Panthers’ defenders. The hit forced a fumble, which was picked up at the three-yard line by Carolina cornerback DOUG EVANS, who proceeded into the end zone and then out of the side of the end zone.
The officials properly ruled that the play was a safety, not a touchback.
If a player brings the ball into the end zone on a fumble recovery, he must bring it out or it is ruled a safety. On an interception, if a player’s momentum carries him into the end zone, the ball is spotted at the point where the interception occurred. In this case, however, there was no intercepting momentum.
Therefore, Evans’ recovery and subsequent return into the end zone was correctly ruled a safety because there is no consideration for momentum on a fumble recovery.
Following from the Official NFL Rule Book is Rule 11, Section 4, Article 1:
When an impetus by a team sends the ball in touch behind its own goal, it is a safety if the ball is either:
A) dead in the end zone in its possession; or
B) out of bounds behind the goal line.
Exception: If the intercepting momentum of a pass interception carries the defensive player and the ball into the end zone, the ball is next in play at the spot of the interception by the defense, unless the intercepting player without fumbling the ball advances it into the field of play. This is irrespective of any other act (muff, fumble, pass, or recovery) by the intercepting team.