re: T Bob's helmet toss

quote:

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The reason it wasn't called is because technically, the play never happened due to the illegal participation.

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The reason it wasn't called was because the refs who might have seen it (if any, which is unlikely since they were probably watching the scramble for the ball) would not likely call a post-snap penalty on the offense when it was clear that the play would not result in a score, ending the game. It would be pointless to call an post-snap penalty on the offense in that situation since the game was over and an offensive penalty would not extend the game. The refs who would have been in position to make the call would not have realized that the game was not actually over because it was the refs on the Tennessee side of the LOS who threw the illegal participation flags. They didn't throw the flags because, a) they didn't see it or b) they thought the failed play ended the game with an expired clock.