When Did the Fair Catch Rule Start in the NFL?

A look at the history of the fair catch rule in the NFL, and how it has changed over time.

The Early Days of the Fair Catch Rule

The fair catch rule has been a part of the NFL since the early days of the league. The rule was put in place to protect players from being injured on kickoffs and punts. The rule allows the receiving team to call for a fair catch, which means they can catch the ball without being tackled. The fair catch rule has been a part of the NFL for over 100 years.

Pre-1906

The fair catch rule Pre-1906, there was no such thing as a “fair catch.” In fact, the rulebook simply stated that a player could not “obstruct” an opponent who was trying to catch the ball. This led to some dangerous situations, as players would often try to block or tackle opponents who were trying to catch the ball. Because of this, many players were injured or even killed during games.
In an effort to make the game safer, the rules committee added the fair catch rule in 1906. The rule stated that a player could not be obstructed when he was catching the ball, and if he did so, it would be a foul.
The rule has undergone several changes since 1906, but the basic idea remains the same: to protect players from being harmed by opponents while they are trying to catch the ball.

1906-1912

The origins of the fair catch rule can be traced back to rugby, where a similar rule was put in place to protect players from violent collisions. American football adopted the fair catch rule in 1906, but it was quickly changed to allow players to run after making a catch. The rule was reverted back to its original form in 1912, and has remained mostly unchanged since then.

The modern version of the rule allows players to signal for a fair catch by raising one arm above their head, and they are then granted immunity from being hit by opposing players. Once a player has caught the ball, they can choose to either run with it or fair catch it again. If they choose to run, they do so at their own risk and can be tackled like any other player.

The Fair Catch Rule Today

The fair catch rule is a rule in American football that allows a receiving team player to signal for a fair catch and grant that team the right to the ball after the catch is made. This right prevents the defense from tackling the receiver immediately after he or she catches the ball. The receiver must be given an opportunity to return the ball after the catch is made. The fair catch rule was first adopted by the National Football League (NFL) in 1976.

2013-present

In 2013, the NFL tweaked the rule again, this time stating that a punt returner could not Fair Catch a ball inside his own 10-yard line. The theory behind the rule is simple – it’s more dangerous to make a catch inside your own goal line, so the risk isn’t worth the reward. If the returner does make the catch, it will be a touchback and the offense will take over at the 20.