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NFL explains the Seahawks’ blocked field goal attempt
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NFL explains the Seahawks’ blocked field goal attempt

The Seattle Seahawks suffered their biggest loss of the young season on Sunday, and the icing on the rather sour cake came via New York, which blocked the tying field goal attempt. Instead of potentially making it a 23-23 game with a minute left to play, the Giants recovered the blocked punt and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown to seal their road victory.

Linebacker Isaiah Simmons blocked the kick by jumping over long snapper Chris Stoll, who was pushed down on the play. Some fans online were quick to wonder if New York could get away with a controversial non-call. After all, it wouldn’t be unusual for the Seahawks to fall victim to one-sided action. Additionally, the league made the transfer illegal in 2017… something many believed was a direct response to the successful efforts of Kam Chancellor and Bobby Wagner.

Turns out the key here is leverage and contact with the long snapper. Per pool reporter Brady Henderson of ESPN, NFL Officiating Rules Analyst Walt Anderson (via a league spokesperson) provided a detailed explanation, which can be read below.

When Isaiah Simmons (No. 19) jumped the line, Anderson confirmed through the spokesperson that Gene Steratore’s explanation during the broadcast was correct, saying that no foul was committed because Simmons was on the line of scrimmage and was not using anyone as leverage .

On the issue of Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) pushing down long-snapper Chris Stoll (41), Anderson said through the spokesperson that “pushing down alone is not a violation and that there was no forcible contact to the head and neck.”

Neither aspect of the play can be assessed, even though it is a scoring play, Anderson said through the spokesperson.