Obscure NFL rules

[Reverend Conehead]

I didn't know about this one:

This rule is one of the oddest and most obscure in the NFL Rulebook. In this rule, if the quarterback is under center and misses the catch and the ball as it passes between his legs, he has to be the next player to touch the ball. If any player touches the ball before the quarterback player, even in defense, the officials rule it as a false start by the offense. This rule was last called during a Bears and Eagles game sometime in 2007.​

I would have thought if the ball was snapped between the quarterback's legs, it's simply a fumble and a live ball that anyone can recover. Who knew? So if the ball got snapped and went between the QB's legs, he could just let it go and as soon as someone else touches it, they keep the ball with just a 5-yard loss. That's a huge surprise to me. I wouldn't be surprised if the refs missed this one and just treated it as a fumble. Or maybe they've since changed the rules and this one is out of date? What a surprise.

whole article:
https://mentalitch.com/obscure-nfl-rules-we-had-no-idea-existed/

 

[EST_1986]

Very strange rule indeed

 

[Flamma]

It was possibly put in to stop trick plays like direct snaps to the RB while the QB is under center. If you want to do a direct snap to a back, be in shotgun. Just like QBs can't be eligible receivers from under center like they can from shotgun. That's my guess.

 

[Flamma]

They got the first rule half right. The fair catch kick applies to punts as well.