USA TODAY Sports
The worst football rule was poorly heard on Sunday in Kansas City, hitting the Browns in a move that looked like it would be a touchdown for Cleveland, but it ended up being a touchback for the Chiefs.
After the game, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about the move.
“I will never doubt Rashard Higgins or our boys’ efforts,” Stefanski told reporters after the game. “Our rule there is not to reach the ball when it is the first and the goal, and he knows it. Again, [I] I appreciate your effort. He fought as he always does, but we have to fight against that desire because it is a big loss if it ends up being a touchback ”.
Stefanski is right. And the Browns’ internal rule is accurate, given the absurd NFL rule that would have given Cleveland possession of the ball at the fumble site if he had stepped out of bounds at the one inch line, but gave the Chiefs possession on his own 20 because the ball went in and out of the end zone.
The biggest problem with the rule is this: it penalizes effort. Yes, there is a chance that a fumble in the end zone will be recovered by the defense. If it is, then the defense must catch the ball. If it is not recovered before leaving the game, the rule should be no different than it would be if the ball leaves the field within 100 meters of the green.