A SAFETY call in the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars completely confused NFL fans — as well as several people on the field.
Apparently confused by the new initial rules, Bosses wide receiver Nicole Hardman gave up two points in the last second of the first half of the match.
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Jaguars kicker Cam Little kicked from the 65-yard line with 26 seconds left in the half.
The ball landed in the end zone, then bounced off the ground and crossed the goal line again.
Hardman ran into the end zone and knelt to catch the ball at the Jacksonville one-yard line.
The referees initially called a touchback, causing Jaguars coach Doug Peterson to protest.
After a review, the referees changed the decision and said the Jags called a safety.
Interestingly, the league website stated that Hardman was “tackled” in the end zone, losing one yard, even though he voluntarily knelt with no Jacksonville players nearby.
NFL fans had a hard time understanding the reasoning behind the decision.
“The strangest #safety in #Jaguars history?” one asked in X.
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“New attack on the NFL’s initial rules! This is a safety (it was originally considered a touchback),” wrote another.
“WHAT IS HAPPENING!?” a third posted.
“This new starting rule is absolutely ridiculous! Who the hell thought this was a good idea!? I’m saying it this way b4 the receiver was in the end zone and gave the Jaguars a safety! Sooo stupid!” one said.
The wording of the new initial rule is far from clear.
“Kick lands in end zone, stays inbounds – returned or downed – if downed, then returns to B30 yard line,” NFL operations website it says.
League officials claimed the initial rule changes were due to player safety concerns.
What is the Hybrid Kickoff rule?
The NFL is looking to revitalize kickoffs by increasing returns and reducing injuries.
The league is considering adopting a starting style similar to that used in the XFL, among radical changes.
If adopted, the rules would be implemented over a one-year trial period.
The proposal presents new alignments for both kicking and receiving units.
The receiving team is limited to throwing a maximum of two returners into the “landing zone”, the area between the team’s goal line and the 20-yard line.
All kickoffs in the landing zone must be returned by the receivers.
Shots that miss the landing zone will result in the ball being played at the 20, 30, or 40 yard line.
The rule was designed to encourage kickers to kick a returnable ball.
“Nobody wants to get rid of special teams,” NFL competition committee chairman Rich McKay said earlier this year.
“Special teams are a critical part of our game.
“And yet, for health and safety reasons, we have had to make modifications many times over the years.
“Now we need to find a way to try to revolutionize the rule, if we can, in order to get the kick back into the game.”
Around the same time, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated that the league wants kickoffs to remain part of the game.
“It’s an exciting play, it’s important to us, just like punts, but when you see a higher injury rate on that play, you can’t ignore it.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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