Lets say a receiver was running a drag route through the end zone (right to left) and caught the ball in stride. While still running, once three feet (right, left, right; left, right, left)have contacted the ground, at that point possession is established and it is considered a TD. Any hits that come after that third foot has contacted the ground causing the ball to come free are null and void. Doesn’t matter cause the TD has already been scored, posession has already been established. It’s a completely different story with the acrobatic, two feet dragging, corner of the end zone stuff. The reason the receiver has to hold the ball all the way to the ground is to establish possession, because he has only gotten two feet down in the end zone. Him maintaining control of the ball all the way to the ground is how the possession is established for the TD to be recorded. Works the same for a rushing touchdown. The reason the runner only has to break the plane of the goal line is because possession has already been established prior to going in the end zone. Even if he fumbles the ball after breaking the plane, it doesn’t matter. Possession was already established and the plane was broken. We saw this just a week ago in Houston where the runner fumbled the ball prior to going in to the end zone. I don’t see why this is/was so difficult for the sports writers/commentators to understand. Once the third foot hit the ground, possession was established, and it was a TD. Good job on the Ref’s for getting the call right.

for the endzone. there has too be three points of contact

whether it’s foot, other foot, then elbow or three steps while holding ball

but with the elbow you are making contact with the ground so good luck holding on

the rule made sense to me but I had never seen this before. I wanna rewatch Raiders WR Louis Murphy’s week 1 TD that was called back now that I know this rule