‘I didn’t know they could just award a touchdown’ – Commanders left stunned over 83-year rule that had never been called before
The 'Palpably Unfair Act Rule of 1942.'
Ever heard of it?
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If you haven't it's because it is a penalty that has never been called in the history of the NFL before.
But it does exist.
And it has reportedly been around since at least 1942.
And while it still has never been called, everyone was made aware of the rule when referee Shawn Hochuli had to explain it to the crowd during the Philadelphia Eagles throttling 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship.
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The Commanders jumped offsides four times in five plays while trying to stop the Eagles' 'tush push' down at the goal-line to begin the fourth quarter, which resulted in Hochuli giving them a warning and reminding the world about a rule that does in fact exist
"The Commanders have been advised that at some point the referee can award a score if this type of behavior happens again," Hochuli said.
"For now, it's a replay of second down."
'Award a score,' is something that no one has ever seen before.
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Or heard.
Even Commanders players themselves.
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"I was trying to inform them they were lined up offsides," linebacker Bobby Wagner said.
"I didn't know they could just award a touchdown."
Neither did the rest of America.
The rule is found in the unsportsmanlike conduction section of the NFL rule book, titled Fouls To Prevent Score.
Rule 12, Section 3, Article 2 states: "The defense shall not commit successive or repeated fouls to prevent a score.
"Penalty: For successive or repeated fouls to prevent a score: If the violation is repeated after a warning, the score involved is awarded to the offensive team."
You learn something new everyday.
After the game, Hochuli explained in more detail to Pool Reporter Zach Berman why he gave the Commanders a warning.
"Simply put, a team can't commit multiple fouls in an effort to prevent the score," Hochuli said.
"So, No.4 [Luvu] jumped the ball a couple of times, that was when the warning came in. Again, if it's meant to prevent a score, we can essentially award the score."
Fortunately, for the sake of having more referee discourse and controversy, Jalen Hurts scored anyway after the warning had been given.
Hurts accounted for three rushing touchdowns on the day, while running back Saquon Barkley matched his quarterback with three of his own too.
In doing so, Hurts passed Steve Young for most rushing touchdowns in NFL playoff history with nine.
In total, Philadelphia had seven rushing touchdowns.
It was clear they didn't need to be 'awarded' anything.
Hurts and the Eagles were already doing anything they wanted against the Commanders, and now they are on the way to Super Bowl LIX.
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And let's hope the 'Palpably Unfair Act Rule of 1942,' never has to rear its' head again.
Or else the internet might just explode.
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