Calvin Johnson Catch Ruled Incomplete: See Why! VIDEO! PHOTO!
With 24 seconds to go in the Chicago Bears – Detroit Lions game, Lion’s WR, Calvin Johnson pulled down a deep pass into the end zone, for what looked to be a touchdown. Johnson caught the ball, got his two feet in bounds, but after going to the ground, and after having control of the ball the entire time, the ground forced the ball out of his hands. The ruling; Incomplete. Many fans are absolutely outraged with the call, but rules are rules, and the correct call was made. Tip: See video on Youtube.
According to a Fox video, Rule 8 Section 1 Article 4 Item 1 states that a player must physically catch the ball, and hold onto the ball, until the play is over, for the ball to be considered a catch. Clearly, Johnson dropped the ball, after the ‘catch’ was made. Now, many will argue that the play is over when the initial catch was made, and the feet were placed on the ground, for a would-be touchdown. Problem is, the definition of the play being over isn’t clearly stated, which is why many people are upset with the call.
When it all comes down to it, Rule 8 Section 1 Article 4 Item 1 is clearly laid out. Whether you agree with the rule or not, is a different situation. I for one, believe that the rule was created to bypass a referee from deciding whether or not the ball was in the players control long enough to be ruled a catch. Fact of the matter is, you don’t want games being determined by referees, you want them being determined by players, and I believe this rule was created to do just that. By the way, the Bears beat the Lions 19 – 14.
You are kidding. Read the actual rule, don’t interpret some Fox video.
The whole process thing is a charade to cover up a gross fouling of the English language by the referees. “A forward pass is complete 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.
If the player loses the ball while simultaneously touching both feet or any part of his body other than his hands to the ground, or if there is any doubt that the acts were simultaneous, it is not a catch.
Item 1: Player going to the ground. If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass … he must maintain control of the ball after he touches the ground. If he loses control of the ball, and the ball touches the ground before he regains control, the pass is incomplete. If he regains control prior to the ball touching the ground, the pass is complete.”
Johnson went up to catch the ball, he was not going to the ground. Up is not down. He caught the ball and securely held it in his hands. He then fell to the ground in control of the football, holding it in one hand, with which after landing on the ground he then placed the ball on the ground and got up.
Don’t be an idiot uttering utter and total nonsense like a fool.