re: Helmet off no penalty?

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That doesn't say it's ok during a penalty discussion

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This happened during the LSU punt to Auburn in which the ball "looked" like it hit the Auburn player. The discussion started and they decided to review the play (it wasn't a penalty discussion), at which time the game took a media timeout. When ESPN returns from the commercials, the discussion is still going on...however the player obviously removed the helmet during the time at commercial.

Go to the link below and look at the 9:20 mark. The player, #22 Bell, had his helmet on as they left for the commercial. Once a game leaves to the commercial it becomes a media timeout (doesn't matter that the refs started the timeout for other reasons. If the refs finished their business prior to coming back from the commercial, the media timeout would have held the game.) When they return is when you'll see him (Bell) near the official (lower right box), at which time this had become a media timeout because of the commercial, thus no penalty.

No penalty for helmet off

Also, since you were at the game, you may not have known it went to a commercial because of the length of the discussion and instant-replay review.

Oh, and you said there was a penalty? So, it may have been the same situation at another time, where the long discussion/review went to a commercial without you knowing. shite, I don't know....just trying to help.