2001
Section 20: Out of Bounds and In-bounds Spot:
Article 2: The ball is out of bounds when:
Paragraph C: A loose ball touches a boundary line or anything on or outside such line.
Referee Carey's explanation Referee Mike Carey's explanation of the controversial David Patten fumble:
''On the play there is a reception by the receiver. He fumbled. The ball was loose in the field of play and while (the ball was) in contact with the receiver's calf, his head hit out of bounds. By rule that's a loose ball. If a loose ball touches anything that is out of bounds, it is itself out of bounds and it would be in possession of the receivers.
''He had possession through the catch so then that team had possession and when the ball's out of bounds, it goes back to the last team with possession.''
(Mon Dec 17, 2001 - 2:14:51 pm)