planomateo
Member
The other two views they showed in the game show it as targeting AND the review CONFIRMED it.
I agree that it wasnāt much of a hit, but it is what it is.
Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible call for this play. He pushed him in from the chest...is that technically the neck area?
Targeting and Making Forcible Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player
ARTICLE 4. No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI)
Note 1: āTargetingā means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
- Launchāa player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area
- A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground
- Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area
- Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet
FitzGerald is 6'5" and White hit him in the head. White put his helmet on him with bad intentions. He gone.
Ok based on this I stand corrected. I did not realize the "forearm" was part of the rule. I knew a hit to the head/neck with your helmet or launching was part of it but not the hand/fist/shoulder. With this definition any hit to the head and neck area would be targeting.
I still do not like it but that is an entirely different issue![]()
I just don't see how you could come to that conclusion.Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible call for this play.
1) Lead with the forearm and elbow. ā
- Leading with helmet, shoulder forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
2) Forcible contact (there was enough force to put him on his butt.) ā
3) Head or nick area. ā
It checks all the boxes.
A couple of years ago it wouldn't have been called roughing the passer. It wouldn't have been called, period. But that was yesteryear.
I don't agree with that type of hit being one that leads to an ejection. However, I don't believe the first targeting flag is either (Unless is so blatant you can't walk away from the flag.) It is the rule.
Perhaps what you meant was...
Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible rule for this play.
Ya?
I just don't see how you could come to that conclusion.Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible call for this play.
1) Lead with the forearm and elbow. ā
- Leading with helmet, shoulder forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
2) Forcible contact (there was enough force to put him on his butt.) ā
3) Head or nick area. ā
It checks all the boxes.
A couple of years ago it wouldn't have been called roughing the passer. It wouldn't have been called, period. But that was yesteryear.
I don't agree with that type of hit being one that leads to an ejection. However, I don't believe the first targeting flag is either (Unless is so blatant you can't walk away from the flag.) It is the rule.
Perhaps what you meant was...
Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible rule for this play.
Ya?
Maybe I'm crazy, but from everything I'm seeing there was zero contact to the head or neck, he was pushed in the chest. If I punched you in the chest or stomach your head could come forward and make contact with me eithout me ever touching your neck and chest which appears to happen here. Argue it till your black and blue in the face, same as I could, but this was a bad call. Check all the boxes you want, but apparently those same boxes have been checked in the NFL and those crazy as calls as well as the NCAa games, so it's very subjective, not fact.
The other two views they showed in the game show it as targeting AND the review CONFIRMED it.
I agree that it wasnāt much of a hit, but it is what it is.
Did you watch the game? I did. It was a bad call. You and the review crew need an eye exam.
I just don't see how you could come to that conclusion.Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible call for this play.
1) Lead with the forearm and elbow. ā
- Leading with helmet, shoulder forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
2) Forcible contact (there was enough force to put him on his butt.) ā
3) Head or nick area. ā
It checks all the boxes.
A couple of years ago it wouldn't have been called roughing the passer. It wouldn't have been called, period. But that was yesteryear.
I don't agree with that type of hit being one that leads to an ejection. However, I don't believe the first targeting flag is either (Unless is so blatant you can't walk away from the flag.) It is the rule.
Perhaps what you meant was...
Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible rule for this play.
Ya?
Maybe I'm crazy, but from everything I'm seeing there was zero contact to the head or neck, he was pushed in the chest. If I punched you in the chest or stomach your head could come forward and make contact with me eithout me ever touching your neck and chest which appears to happen here. Argue it till your black and blue in the face, same as I could, but this was a bad call. Check all the boxes you want, but apparently those same boxes have been checked in the NFL and those crazy as calls as well as the NCAa games, so it's very subjective, not fact.
Youād need to see the other two angles they showed in game. The angle people keep reposting doesnāt show the hit.
I agree with TerryP. It was called correctly...AND this is a terrible rule as it is being applied.
Fitzgerald also lowered his head
Maybe I'm crazy, but from everything I'm seeing there was zero contact to the head or neck, he was pushed in the chest

Uh, you forgot something here.BTW, here is Mackās hit... Text book how to make a hit. Head up... hit in chest... run threw player.
Sorry...iPhone photo was too large for post... had to compress it some to get it uploaded.Uh, you forgot something here.BTW, here is Mackās hit... Text book how to make a hit. Head up... hit in chest... run threw player.![]()
Perhaps textbook, but in my opinion, it's still a terrible call for this play. He pushed him in from the chest...is that technically the neck area?
Targeting and Making Forcible Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player
ARTICLE 4. No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI)
Note 1: āTargetingā means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
- Launchāa player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area
- A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground
- Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area
- Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet
Fitzgerald also lowered his head
No. He didn't. It's clear he didn't in this video. In fact, he's looking downfield at his pass when the contact occurs. His head moves to his left side and I can't tell if it's by contact or he's turning his head to avoid contact-- but he's clearly not looking down.
Maybe I'm crazy, but from everything I'm seeing there was zero contact to the head or neck, he was pushed in the chest
In this thread, this picture shows where the impact is located. His face mask is buried underneath his chin.
View attachment 9894
You are missing this. His forearm, elbow, and hands were in the neck area. It was forcible contact. That's the rule. That's targeting.He is not hit in the head or it would have shot backwards, and you see zero wiplash from his head.