The Write Zone

An NFL team once won a game by intentionally fumbling the ball forward… multiple times.

It sounds made up. It wasn’t.

In 1978, the Oakland Raiders were trailing the San Diego Chargers with seconds left. Quarterback Ken Stabler was about to be sacked. Instead of taking the loss, he pushed the ball forward — intentionally fumbling it. The ball bounced ahead. Another Raider tried to grab it and knocked it forward again. Then tight end Dave Casper batted it into the end zone and fell on it for the game-winning touchdown.

The play became known as the Holy Roller.

At the time, the rules allowed any offensive player to recover and advance a fumble, even in the final seconds. The Raiders took advantage of the loophole in pure desperation mode. Chargers players were furious. Fans were stunned. The league office took notice.

The NFL responded the very next offseason with what’s now called the “Holy Roller Rule.” From that point on, in the final two minutes of a half — or on fourth down at any time — only the player who fumbled the ball is allowed to advance it. If a teammate recovers it, the ball goes back to the spot of the fumble.

There’s your fact for today!

See you at the next snap,

Tatum