The fun-killing ninnies at the National Federation of State High School Associations have a long-standing rule that penalizes super-athletic offensive players for hurdling over (almost-assuredly less-athletic) defenders. The NFSH cites player safety as the reason for keeping the rule on the books. Okay, fine, whatever. But, if you ask us, it’s totally worth the 15-yard penalty, because who doesn’t like to watch football players hurdle over defenders?
Over the weekend, L.J. Scott of Marion Harding High School (Ohio), traveled by both land and air over the course of a spectacular 50-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, the “by air” part came at the expense of a poor defender, who Scott hurdled over. The referee tossed a flag, and assessed a 15-yard penalty for “illegal contact” (Contact with what? Air?). Thus begs the question: if you’re going to have a rule against hurdling, why not create a penalty called “hurdling”, and call it a day?
