Can a Fumbled Lateral Be Advanced by the Defense ???

[Colts And Orioles]

o


I just came across this jaw-dropping call by the referees from a game in 1983. Fast-forward to the 2:18:00 mark, and stay with it, as the referees overturned what everybody in the stadium (and watching on television) presumed was a touchdown for the Colts.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WK80_oolgE


The rule at that time was that a backward-pass/lateral that is fumbled l CANNOT l be advanced by the defensive team ...... so as crazy as it was, the referees apparently made the right call.



I don't know whether or not this horrible rule has been changed since then ....... I did some research, and the following states that either team l CAN l advance a backward pass after it hits the ground, but it l DOES NOT NECESSARILY SAY WHETHRE OR NOT l a backward pass can be advanced after it touches the intended target, and then hits the ground (as it did in this game between the Colts and the Patriots in 1983.)


A runner may throw a backward pass at any time (3-22-5). Players of either team may advance after catching a backward pass, or recovering a backward pass after it touches the ground.


https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules...backward-pass/

o