Football may be a physical, collision game.
But it is also a mental game. You need to know the rules every time you are on the field, and even when you are watching from the sidelines.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson learned that lesson the hard way against the Seattle Seahawks.
After a Seattle field goal gave the visiting Seahawks a 17-14 lead, kicker Jason Myers teed up the football for the ensuing kickoff. His kick landed in the landing area required under the new kickoff rules, bouncing down around the 15-yard line before caroming towards Johnson.
The rookie running back tried to secure the loose ball, but it went through his hands towards the back of the end zone. Johnson looked back for a moment, but, perhaps thinking the ball was simply going to roll through the end zone, he did not chase it down.
You know that expression that starts with “never assume … ”? Because, well, that assumption from Johnson was a mistake:
Hustling downfield for the Seahawks was George Holani, who slid into the end zone and recovered the live football in bounds, for one of the more unexpected touchdowns you will ever see.
Make sure you know the rules, friends.
