The rule does not include the language "must slide feet first."

he didn't slide. if he doesn't slide, the play stays going. that's in the rulebook too. Play not dead.

See above post.

You sure about that? Surely they draw a line on what constitutes "giving yourself up" more clearly than "giving yourself up". Dungy swore it was sliding yesterday during the post game stuff.

The rule has been read verbatim on about every single sports show over and over all day. No where in the rule does it say "must slide feet first."

I thought a slide indicated feet first? Head first would be a dive. How the **** do you slide without sliding feet first?

What does it matter since its not in the rule? It says "gives themselves up." He gave himself up and started back towards the huddle. The refs called it by the rulebook. They didn't give the Giants the game.

This is stupid.

i could have sworn it was always sliding that made it such, I know for a fact Dungy said it was yesterday. kinda weird they wouldnt draw the line anywhere. for example, what if a player trips on his own feet in open terriroty, and gets called down even though he shoudlnt be and could ve gotten up and ran for a td. lots of room for "judgement calls" "common sense" and "player safety" for the refs to decide split second on fall downs that may or may not be so obvious.

i think they make an obivous sign for giving yourself up (ie sliding), so theres no room for error or bias. otherwise people will always wonder if something stinks.

It doesn't make any difference. I was just curious how one slides any other way than feet first. That's what a ****ing slide is lol.

There are also a lot of "what ifs" in your scenario that didn't happen yesterday.

The rulebook, if it actually says "gives themselves up" without a clear indication of what consitutes such, is VERY open to interpretation, and needs to be changed.

Or changed back....Dungy said the rule was always sliding yesterday, before the media put their PR spin on it today. if the giants fall out of the hunt early, not as many people watch the prrime timers later this year, and LOTS of ratings and money in advertising gets lost. Just kinda weird.

Baseball players slide head first all the time.

"Official shall declare ball dead ... when runner declares himself down by falling to ground or kneeling & making no effort to advance."

What we, as fans, should all be asking ourselves is: Did it read exactly like this in the Sept. rulebook or was it changed at 5-6 o clock whatever yesterday to protect the leagues best interest (East coast team and integrity).

Actually, what we as fans should ask for is a complete NFL rulebook every early Sept. to check ourselves when calls like this are made.

FWIW, anyone out there no if there is an online version of one (dated for 2011 but prior to this weekend of course)? Anyone who finds one and points this definition out would really help restore my faith in the refs. Thanks.

Well in football if a QB goes head first, it's not a slide is what I meant. They're fair game to get hit.