Rule question - forward pass that hits an official

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

During the game yesterday, on one play an official had to duck so as to not be hit by a Tom Brady pass. It got me thinking: if a ball deflects off an official, is it still a live ball? I can't remember if I've ever seen that happen.

 

[PATRlOT]

No, I would highly highly doubt it's a live ball

 

[Cantabrigian]

What I found

http://static.nfl.com/static/conten...pdfs/11_Rule8_ForwardPass_BackPass_Fumble.pdf
http://static.nfl.com/static/conten.../pdfs/10_Rule7_BallInPlay_DeadBall_Scrimm.pdf

Rule 8 Forward Pass, Backward Pass, Fumble
Section 1 Forward Pass
DEFINITION
Article 1 DefinitionIt is a forward pass if:
(b) the ball first strikes the ground, a player, an official, or anything else at a point that is nearer the
opponent’s goal line than the point at which the ball leaves the passer’s hand(s).


RULE 7 Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Scrimmage

Article 3: Ball Touches Official. The ball is not dead because it touches an official who is inbounds, or
because of a signal by an official other than a whistle.

 

[PP2]

During the game yesterday, on one play an official had to duck so as to not be hit by a Tom Brady pass. It got me thinking: if a ball deflects off an official, is it still a live ball? I can't remember if I've ever seen that happen.

The play is dead once the ball hits the ground or if the official is out of bound (Roetheisberger did it on a 3th and 9 vs Washington, and Romo hit a official out of bounds). I seem to remember Brady throwing a mid-range, across-the-middle pass that struck an official in the head. Welker was involved in on that play I think.

 

[PP2]

Article 3: Ball Touches Official. The ball is not dead because it touches an official who is inbounds, or
because of a signal by an official other than a whistle.

To clarify: the ball isn't dead just because it hit an official, but it will be dead if it hits an official and goes to the ground.

 

[Gumby]

The down is repeated (Roetheisberger did the same thing on a 4th and 9 vs Washington, and Romo hit a official as well). I seem to remember Brady throwing a mid-range, across-the-middle pass that struck an official in the head. Welker was involved in on that play I think.

I think you are wrong.

I think Cantabrigian's extracts are more valid and parallel with the short-hand rule I had previously heard: that 'the officials are considered part of the playing-field'.

The only exception to them being part of field is they dont cause an airborne pass to be a dead-ball (if they are standing inbounds) - it has to actually hit the turf.

It is on the players to avoid them and therefore you dont see a play re-run when one of the refs accidently "picks" a WR or a DB. The other team just gained a 12th player for one play is all (sorry, chum). So why would they re-run a play if a pass hit a ref?

I seem to recall (years back) one or two of TB's passes tipping off a ref and still making it to the wr (who might have either caught or dropped - can't recall). I do not recall any "RE-Do"s in those instances.

 

[PP2]

I think you are wrong.

I think Cantabrigian's extracts are more valid and parallel with the short-hand rule I had previously heard: that 'the officials are considered part of the playing-field'.

The only exception to them being part of field is they dont cause an airborne pass to be a dead-ball (if they are standing inbounds) - it has to actually hit the turf.

It is on the players to avoid them and therefore you dont see a play re-run when one of the refs accidently "picks" a WR or a DB. The other team just gained a 12th player for one play is all (sorry, chum). So why would they re-run a play if a pass hit a ref?

I seem to recall (years back) one or two of TB's passes tipping off a ref and still making it to the wr (who might have either caught or dropped - can't recall). I do not recall any "RE-Do"s in those instances.

Yes, my original post was wrong. I edited my original post after I went to look at that Roethlisberger pass replay and noticed that there was a loss of down, then I looked the rule up.

 

[Gumby]

Yes, my original post was wrong. I edited my original post after I went to look at that Roethlisberger pass replay and noticed that there was a loss of down, then I looked the rule up.

All good.
I'll reserve my right to be wrong (& hopefully as gracious as you) for another day.