Can someone explain why the JFF fumble was a fumble?

I thought it wasn't a fumble. Or it shouldn't have been one. That may be an NFL rule but it's my understanding if the ball touches the ground when its still in possession then the play is dead.

the exact same reason that it's not considered a touchdown when your knee is down before the goal line and the ball is on the goal line

As long as no other part of your body touches the ground it is still a live play. The ball touching the ground does not kill the play (it'a the same as using your hand to stay up), ergo it was a fumble.

[This message has been edited by DevilD77 (edited 10/6/2012 10:20p).]

The ground cannot cause a fumble when you are going down meaning knee or arm or whatever when you are down. Does not apply when the ball only in your hand hits the ground and you are not down otherwise. It was a fumble.

here ya go:

quote:

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sometimes controversial rule is usually referred to as "the ground cannot cause a fumble". If a player is tackled and loses control of the ball at or after the time he makes contact with the ground, the player is treated as down and the ball is not in play. However, in the NFL and CFL, if a ball carrier falls without an opponent contacting him, the ground can indeed cause a fumble. This is because in those leagues the ball carrier is not "down" unless an opponent first makes contact, or the runner is out of bounds. If a player fumbles in most other leagues, as soon as the knee or elbow touch the ground, the ball carrier is considered down. It is also possible for the ground to cause a fumble in college football if the ball hits the ground before any part of the ball carrier's body (other than the hand or foot) touches the ground. An example was the fumble by Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner vs. Tennessee in the 1998 SEC chaampionship game.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumble

Wasn't there already a thread about this?

It was a fumble.

Its basically as if JFF sat the ball down. If that isn't a live ball, I don't know what is.

The ball is part of his arm at that point and it was a fumble. I'm really surprised that so many on here seem to have never seen this before. Then again, I guess I shouldn't be.

Go back and review the exact same situation with Clint Stoerner (Arkansas QB) against Tennessee during the 1998 season. It is one of the most shown highlights for UT. He used the ball to try to maintain balance. He was never down, so it is a fumble.

b. When any part of the ball carrier’s body, except his hand or foot, touches the ground or when the ball carrier is tackled or otherwise falls and loses possession of the ball as he contacts the ground with any part of his body, except his hand or foot [Exception: The ball remains alive when an offensive player has simulated a kick or at the snap is in position to kick the ball held for a place kick by a teammate. The ball may be kicked, passed or advanced by rule] (A.R. 4-1-3-I).

Same thing happened to Denard Robinson last year and everyone was up in arms about it and it was a fumble then too

ground didn't cause it. He dropped it just off the ground.

It was a fumble.

His knee never touched the ground...if his knee touched and he fumbled then it wouldn't have been a fumble.