NFL Appears To Decide Future Of Controversial End Zone Fumble Rule

The Kansas City Chiefs won yet another Super Bowl this past NFL season.

But they may not have had the chance to do so had it not been for a controversial Zay Flowers fumble late in the AFC Championship Game that turned what looked like a sure touchdown into touchback instead.

The play caused a number of fans to call for a change to what they deemed the “worst rule in sports.” But it appears the NFL has made up its mind and the rule will stay.

“Not much traction at the moment for a change on the fumble-through-the-end-zone rule when possession is awarded to the defense on a touchback,” Judy Battista of NFL.com reported. “Competition Committee discussed it today. Play happens rarely and feeling is it’s the ballcarrier’s responsibility to protect the ball.”

Fans Have Mixed Feelings On Lack Of Change To NFL End Zone Fumble Rule

This led to mixed reactions from fans.

“It’s also their job to protect the ball at all other areas of the field. The fact that a fumble out of bounds at the one inch line would result in retaining possession makes the rule nonsensical,” one fan tweeted.

“So by this logic if a defender has a ball bounces off his hands then the defense should get the ball right? Because the offense didn’t protect it there either and the defender did just as much to break up that play as they do to cause most fumbles on the goal line,” said another.

But not everyone was upset by the news. Several fans believed the league should keep the rule in tact.

“It’s almost like the endzone is treated differently than the rest of the field for the offense and the defense,” @Dascenzo tweeted.

While @GBellSeattle wrote “Good. Yes, it is. Don’t like it, don’t fumble at the goal line.”

Regardless of your view on things, the NFL seems content to keep the status quo. At least for the foreseeable future.