It's a Fumble: Anything Goes

Anything goes in the pile following a fumble. 

There aren't many things in sports quite as nasty as the fumble. It's such a violent sport these, regardless of the level. But it's hard to compare something like what goes on when the ball comes loose and it becomes up for grabs.

It's not quite like a loose ball on the basketball court where you might get a few floor burns, but on the gridiron, it looks like you may want to count the number of fingers on your hands to make sure they add up to 10.

Things can get pretty ugly down on the field. As a running back would attest, when you're running with the ball, anything goes.  The defense has its eyes on not just tackling you, but trying to strip the ball as well.

And if it comes out, it's on.

When that ball comes out, the players pounce. It's hard for a referee to see who in fact has recovered the ball. In fact, many brave officials wearing just their zebra shirts, will dive into the pile trying to identify who has the ball.

But its during that time that really nobody knows, that it can get ugly. Players bite, scratch, tug and maybe even punch amidst the dust and mud.  One player may have a firm grasp of the ball, but in the pile, another may wrestle it from him only for the referee, when finally sorting out the scrum, award that player with possession.

It comes down to who wants it the most.

And it can be nasty.