Football question
 

I could not see what happened to the football at the end of the Bears-Raiders game yesterday but I have a question. Is the ball not still live after a blocked field goal attempt? I saw the block and saw all the Bears running to the sideline but I think there was still time on the clock. Couldn't a Raider pick up the ball and run it in?

I think the way blocked field goals work is that if the ball stays behind the line of scrimmage it is a live ball. If it goes past the line of scrimmage it is treated like a punt, meaning the defense can return it or the offense can down it.

However, since the ball comes back to the spot of the kick attempt if it is not returned, a lot of times neither team will go after the ball and the refs will eventually blow the play dead.

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Thanks. Since I didn't see where the ball went, I gather it went beyond the line of scrimmage thus all the offense could do was down it. Appreciate the explanation. It has been 60 years since I last played and I have forgotten a lot:)

Perfect description! That was a helluva ending.