The National Football League (N.F.L.) rule book is extensive, with many rules that are simple yet well-known and others that are complex and rarely enforced. On Thursday night, a rare instance of the “free-kick field goal” rule was spotted in a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos.
A fair catch at the 38-yard line set up a play where the ball was placed within field-goal range, allowing the Chargers to attempt a free kick instead of a traditional field goal. The kicker successfully kicked it through the uprights, marking the first time this rule had been executed in 48 years.
Other obscure N.F.L. rules include the “drop kick,” which involves dropping the ball and kicking it through the uprights after it bounces. This method is rare due to its difficulty. In 2006, Doug Flutie of the New England Patriots successfully attempted a drop kick.
Additionally, there’s the rule regarding the ball going directly through the quarterback’s legs during a snap. If this occurs, the offense still must be the first to touch the ball; otherwise, the play is blown dead and a penalty is assessed.
The “out-of-bounds” rule states that if a player standing outside the field touches an in-bound ball, it’s considered out of bounds. This was demonstrated in 2016 when Ty Montgomery of the Green Bay Packers recovered a kickoff within their own 5-yard line despite his feet being out of bounds, resulting in the ball being placed at their own 40-yard line.
Finally, there are rules regarding prop celebrations and the use of props during games. These rules have been relaxed over time, but some players still face fines for using creative or prohibited gestures.
As the N.F.L. continues to evolve, it’s likely that even more unusual rule instances will arise, leading to exciting and unpredictable moments on the field.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/20/sports/football/chargers-fair-catch-kick-rare-nfl-rules.html