Quote:
Originally Posted by David
I still don't understand why it wasn't a catch. Whenever a ball is not caught by the first to touch it and then it gets bounced around without touching the ground and eventually someone gets control of it, it's a catch or interception. How is this different?
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If a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass (with or without contact by an opponent), he must maintain control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground, whether in the field of play or the end zone. 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.
I believe this rule is void
after making a move common to the game. So if you catch the ball, run around a defender and the ball is jarred lose by the ground when you're tackled, the pass is complete and the ball is dead at the point of contact.
Bryant says he took three steps and reached for the goal line. It's a difficult call.