I've seen this on a few different pages. People clamoring for a rule change on fumbles through the endzone. The argument is if a team fumbled out of bounds, they don't lose possession so why do they if they fumble through the endzone.

Proponents for the rule change would give the ball back to the offense at the point it was fumbled. Crazier suggestions call for the offense to get the ball 1st and 10 back on the 20.

So does this rule need to change, or stay just the way it is?

I'd leave it alone, but I'm willing to listen to the other side if someone takes that position. 

5 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

I'd leave it alone, but I'm willing to listen to the other side if someone takes that position. 

I am open-minded too but I do not think this needs to change. 

I get why the rule is in place, but not sure what the proper correction should be. My original thought was to bring it back to the 20-yard line with a loss of down. So in this instance, it would have become 2nd and Goal from the 20.

1st and 10 at the 20 is ridiculous.

In fairness, the rules are so slanted toward the offense, they can sacrifice something.

2 minutes ago, bugatti said:

In fairness, the rules are so slanted toward the offense, they can sacrifice something.

That is another great point.

I don't understand how it's a good rule at all the way it is.  Can someone explain why it's good the way it is now?

7 minutes ago, brown4 said:

I don't understand how it's a good rule at all the way it is.  Can someone explain why it's good the way it is now?

I'll probably do a poor job explaining this...

Going back to the roots of the game, the object is to penetrate the opposing team's goal line, with the ball in hand. The offense does not own the endzone, it is the defender's territory. If you fail to bring the ball across in your possession and it goes out of the endzone, you fail in the mission of the game. Giving it back to the offense is a reward which is why it would have to result in some kind of penalty if you were to do away with it. Fumbling is a relinquishment of possession. In the field of play, the ball can be retained by the offense if it goes out of bounds.

You relinquish possession, too, when you kick a ball on a live down. It goes out of the back of the endzone on a missed FG or punt, it does not return to the kicking team.

18 hours ago, bugatti said:

1st and 10 at the 20 is ridiculous.

I don't see how they can do that. Go for it every time it's 4th and short and if you aren't going to score a TD, fumble on purpose through the endzone. That would be asinine if they did that.

If you change this rule, do you need to change the rule on a fumble out of bounds at the other end zone? Why should a team get 2 points if the offense fumbles the ball out of their own end zone? Or if a snap on a punt goes over the punter's head? 

2 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

If you change this rule, do you need to change the rule on a fumble out of bounds at the other end zone? Why should a team get 2 points if the offense fumbles the ball out of their own end zone? Or if a snap on a punt goes over the punter's head? 

I'm not seeing the parallel. If anything, though, the rule would need to remain for the reasons I pointed out a few posts above.

I know that it is not the same thing, but I equate this issue to the game of 8 Ball in pool.  If you scratch, you turn the cue ball over to the other team.  If you put in the 8 ball too early, you lose.  I'm sure that nobody is going to change the rules of 8 Ball for "I know you didn't mean to put in the 8 ball early so let's give you a mulligan, put the 8 ball back on the table and let you keep playing"!

That's the rules man!

2 hours ago, bugatti said:

I'm not seeing the parallel. If anything, though, the rule would need to remain for the reasons I pointed out a few posts above.

The parallel:

A fumble out of the end zone causes loss of possession.

In my situation, it also costs a team 2 points.

If they change the rule, it’s just another situation where the offense loses nothing, but field position, because the defense made a good play. I’m open to rule tweaks, but as said before, the offense gets enough benefit of the doubt anyway. Maybe just give the defense the ball at the 20 without awarding a safety?

On 1/23/2024 at 9:56 PM, Breds82 said:

If they change the rule, it’s just another situation where the offense loses nothing, but field position, because the defense made a good play. I’m open to rule tweaks, but as said before, the offense gets enough benefit of the doubt anyway. Maybe just give the defense the ball at the 20 without awarding a safety?

Isn't that what the rule is now?  There's no safety awarded currently.

It has always seemed strange that a fumble that goes out of bounds at the 1 is placed at the spot of the fumble, but a fumble that passes the goal line and goes out of bounds results in a loss of possession.  Seems overly severe for a ball that maybe bounces another yard or two.