In the NFL, teams are always looking for ways to get ahead. But when does smart strategy turn into straight-up cheating? That’s where the NFL rulebook steps in with two big terms: “palpably unfair acts” and “extraordinarily unfair acts.” These rules are here to keep things fair and give refs and league officials the power to deal with anything that crosses the line.
Let’s break it down and see how it all works.
What Is A Palpably Unfair Act?
A “palpably unfair act” occurs when players, substitutes, or non-players interfere with the game in a way that’s clearly unjust. The NFL rulebook states:
“Players, substitutes, and non-players shall not interfere with play by any act which is palpably unfair.”
Examples Of Palpably Unfair Acts
The rulebook provides a few examples:
- Illegal Substitution Interference: A substitute who illegally enters the game and interferes with play could face penalties for committing a palpably unfair act.
- Goaltending: A defensive player leaping to deflect a kick as it passes above the goalpost crossbar can also qualify. In this case, the referee may award the kicking team three points.
How Are ‘Palpably Unfair Acts’ Penalized?
The consequences can be severe. The referee, after consulting with the officiating crew, has significant discretion in handling these acts:
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- Ejections: The offending player or coach may be disqualified.
- Awarding Points or Yards: The referee can award points or yardage if they believe the unfair act prevented a score or significant gain.
- Extending the Period: In some cases, the referee may allow an untimed down.
(2013) No penalty for Mike Tomlin blatantly obstructing Jacoby Jones’ path to the endzone. pic.twitter.com/1qjt5FzuCU
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) June 19, 2020
For example, referees could award a touchdown if repeated fouls prevented a team from scoring.
While there hasn’t been a confirmed instance of this rule being enforced in a game, one notable case comes close:
- Mike Tomlin’s Sideline Interference (2013): Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stepped onto the sideline and obstructed Baltimore Ravens kick returner Jacoby Jones. The NFL fined Tomlin $100,000 and considered docking the Steelers a future draft pick, even though no flag was thrown.
NFL officiating vice president Dean Blandino explained, “If they interfere with the play, it could be what’s called a ‘palpably unfair act.”
Also Read: Explaining The NFL’s Fumble Touchback Rule: Why Is It So Controversial?
What Is An Extraordinarily Unfair Act?
An “extraordinarily unfair act” is even more serious. According to the NFL rulebook:
“The Commissioner has the sole authority to investigate and take appropriate disciplinary and/or corrective measures if any club action, non-participant interference, or calamity occurs in an NFL game which the Commissioner deems so extraordinarily unfair or outside the accepted tactics encountered in professional football that such action has a major effect on the result of the game.”
The Commissioner’s Powers
The NFL Commissioner, currently Roger Goodell, has sweeping authority to address extraordinarily unfair acts. His options include:
- Fines: He can fine teams, coaches, or players.
- Draft Pick Forfeitures: The team may lose one or more draft picks.
- Suspensions: Players, coaches, or team staff can face suspensions.
- Reversing or Rescheduling Games: In extreme cases, the Commissioner can overturn game results or order a replay, either from the beginning or from the point of the unfair act.
Notable Examples
No commissioner has officially used the term “extraordinarily unfair act” in a ruling. However, past incidents align with the rule’s criteria:
- Spygate (2007): League penalized the New England Patriots for videotaping the New York Jets’ signals. The punishment included a $500,000 fine for head coach Bill Belichick, a $250,000 fine for the team, and the forfeiture of a first-round draft pick.
Spygate was an incident during the National Football League's (NFL) 2007 season, when the New England Patriots were disciplined by the league for videotaping New York Jets' defensive coaches' signals from an unauthorized location during a September 9, 2007 game. pic.twitter.com/vya0zuMDQg
— EL JENNY’TO DE PELO (@hlopezdatasup) January 16, 2020
- Deflategate (2015): The NFL fined the Patriots $1 million, took away draft picks, and suspended quarterback Tom Brady for four games over football air pressure tampering accusations.
In both cases, Goodell described the actions as deliberate attempts to gain unfair advantages, demonstrating how these rules protect the integrity of the game.
Why These Rules Matter?
The “palpably unfair” and “extraordinarily unfair” clauses ensure that referees and league officials can handle situations that traditional penalties don’t cover. Whether it’s a coach interfering from the sidelines or a team breaking long-standing competition rules, the NFL has mechanisms to uphold fairness.
Now, next time you see a controversial moment on the field, you’ll know exactly what these rules mean and just how far the league can go to maintain the integrity of the game!
Also Read: How Do NFL Suspensions Work?
