Rules question (1 Viewer)

[Pnishthm]

Towards the end of the game Ed Reed returned a punt and as he was going down he tried to latteral the ball but the latteral ended up going forward just before Reed's knee touched down. The play was challenged by the Ravens that his knee was already down but the play call on the field stood (Fumble and Colts ball). My question is... if the latteral went forward wouldn't that be considered an illegal forward pass and not a fumble? Or are they considered one in the same? Anyone have the rule on this?

 

[switz]

Towards the end of the game Ed Reed returned a punt and as he was going down he tried to latteral the ball but the latteral ended up going forward just before Reed's knee touched down. The play was challenged by the Ravens that his knee was already down but the play call on the field stood (Fumble and Colts ball). My question is... if the latteral went forward wouldn't that be considered an illegal forward pass and not a fumble? Or are they considered one in the same? Anyone have the rule on this?

I believe if the ball never its the ground, but was tossed to another player, it would be considered a lateral. Once it hits the ground, regardless of recovery, it's a fumble.

 

[The Iguana]

Towards the end of the game Ed Reed returned a punt and as he was going down he tried to latteral the ball but the latteral ended up going forward just before Reed's knee touched down. The play was challenged by the Ravens that his knee was already down but the play call on the field stood (Fumble and Colts ball). My question is... if the latteral went forward wouldn't that be considered an illegal forward pass and not a fumble? Or are they considered one in the same? Anyone have the rule on this?

It would have been an illegal forward lateral and a penalty but the Colts would have just denied the penalty if it was called and kept the ball. I believe you are asking if Baltimore should have kept the ball as an "incomplete pass" instead of a fumble and the answer is no, it is still a fumble if it goes forward.