When Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones set out to build the biggest, most elaborate, most expensive stadium in all the land, a ridiculously large video screen was, of course, on the list of things to purchase. The problem, however, is that the screen is so big and hangs so low to the ground — just 90 feet above the playing surface — that punts are going to be hitting the bottom of it all… season… long.
In light of this, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a recent ruling that basically says any time a ball hits some sort of electronics equipment above the field, there’s gonna be a do-over. Here’s the exact wording:
“If a ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam or any other object, the ball will be dead immediately, and the down will be replayed at the previous spot.
If there is not an on-field ruling that the ball struck an object, the replay assistant is empowered to initiate a booth review, including if the event occurs prior to the two-minute warning. If, prior to the two-minute warning, no booth review is initiated by the replay assistant, a coach’s challenge is permitted under the customary procedures for such a challenge.”
In other words, get ready for just about every punt in Cowboys Stadium that comes anywhere close to the screen to be reviewed in ultra-slow motion for 20 minutes. Apparently the Tennesee Titans’ backup punter hit it during last Friday’s preseason game after hitting it three times during pre-game warmups. And the team’s first-string punter, Craig Hentrich, was said to have hit it at least a dozen times before the game as well.
[via LA Times]