133:
minutes of a half, unless the ball is recovered by the fumbler (there are no such restrictions in
Canadian football). However, if the offense fumbles the ball, the defense recovers and then fumbles back to the offense, they would get a first down since possession had formally changed over the course of the play even though the ball had never been blown dead. In American football, there is no separate signal to indicate a fumble recovery. If the offense recovers its own fumble, the official will indicate the recovery by a hand signal showing the next down. If the defense recovers the fumble, the official will indicate with a "first down" signal in the direction the recovering team is driving the ball. Some officials have erroneously used a "first down" signal when the offense recovers its own fumble and the recovery did not result in a first down.
171:, if a ball carrier falls without an opponent contacting him, the ground can indeed cause a fumble. This is because in those leagues the ball carrier is not "down" unless an opponent first makes contact, or the runner is out of bounds. In most other leagues, as soon as the knee or elbow touches the ground, the ball carrier is considered down. It is also possible for the ground to cause a fumble in college football if the ball hits the ground before any part of the ball carrier's body (other than the hand or foot) touches the ground. An example was the fumble by Arkansas quarterback Clint Stoerner vs. Tennessee in 1998.
246:
40:
1417:
639:, giving the ball back to the Bills. Beebe's team by that point had no chance to win, but Lett's premature showboating prevented the Cowboys from setting a new record for most points scored by one team in a Super Bowl. Despite an otherwise commendable career, that play and Lett's later unnecessary attempt to recover a blocked field goal, which cost Dallas the next season's
293:' attention is necessarily focused on the ball and away from the players trying to get to it. Most commonly, players will "pile on" opponents already down trying to recover the ball. Some NFL players also report that pokes in the eyes, pinches or other abuse is common in post-fumble pileups, conduct which has sometimes led to confrontations, fights or even brawls.
223:, a ball fumbled by the offense within the field of play that goes out of bounds in the defensive team's end zone is not a touchback. Instead, the ball is spotted at the spot of the fumble, with the offense retaining possession unless the fumble occurred on fourth down before the offense reached the line to gain, in which case the defense receives possession.
204:(even if the ball moves forward out of the end zone before going out of bounds), or fumbles in the field of play and the ball then goes into that team's end zone and out of bounds, the result depends on which team caused the ball to enter the end zone. If the possessing team possessed or forced the ball into the end zone, it is a
120:). Ball security is the ability of a player to maintain control over the football during play and thus avoid a fumble. Thus, losing possession of the ball via a fumble includes not only dropping the ball before being downed; but, also having a ball taken away, or “stripped” from the runner's possession before being downed.
59:
304:) while the officials slowly extricate them in an effort to determine who has won possession. If two different players have hands on the ball, it is often a judgement call on the officials' part as to which team gets it. In the NFL and CFL this has often been the occasion for coaches to call for a review of the
561:, as outraged Giants' fans still call it, spurred the Eagles to the playoffs that season and precipitated a complete overhaul of the Giants' coaching and management staff, eventually reversing years of decline. Gibson was fired the next day. The following week, kneeling with the ball when possible to
372:
The "fake fumble" is in fact a real one as far as the rules are concerned, and if the defense manages to get the ball, the coach's judgement is likely to be questioned by fans and media alike. While it is a crowd pleaser when done properly, the risk far outweighs the likely reward. For this reason it
236:
or place-kicked ball that touches any part of a player on the receiving team, whether or not the player ever gains control, is considered to be live and is treated like a fumble. Also, lateral passes that are caught by a member of the opposing team are recorded as fumbles as opposed to interceptions.
85:
A fumble may be forced by a defensive player who either grabs or punches the ball or butts the ball with their helmet (a move called "tackling the ball"). A fumbled ball may be recovered and advanced by either team (except, in
American football, after the two-minute warning in either half/overtime or
368:
can pick it up and run the ball around the end. Coaches are very leery of calling this, however, as a team must be able to execute it flawlessly in order for it to have a chance of working in a game situation. The guard must also be able to run the ball competently and protect it when being tackled,
277:
who do not normally handle the ball in the course of play, simply fall on the ball. Gaining or retaining possession is more important in most situations than attempting to advance the ball and possibly score, and there have been many instances where those attempting to do so have wound up fumbling
132:
may recover the ball and even advance it to their opponents' goal. The same is true for the offense, but usually when the offense recovers the ball they simply try to down it. In
American football the offense cannot advance the ball if it recovers its own fumble on fourth down, or in the last two
281:
Recovering and advancing a fumble is also made difficult, and potentially injurious, by the effect on play. Since neither team is on offense or defense while the ball remains loose, there are no restrictions on the type of contact allowed as long as all players are making legitimate efforts to
1404:(1), November 29, 1964 (all opponents'); Oakland Raiders (2) vs. Buffalo Bills (1), December 24, 1967 (all opponents'); Oakland Raiders (2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1), September 24, 1995 (all opponents'); Tennessee Titans (2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1), January 2, 2000 (all opponents').
334:
However, coaches tell players not to do this in game situations if at all possible, since not only is the ball likely to squirt loose again once other players pile on, there is also a possibility of injury from the ball being driven into the soft organs with great force.
186:, the last team to touch the ball). If the ball was moving backwards with regard to the recovering team, it is spotted where it went out of bounds. If the ball was moving forwards, it is spotted where the fumble occurred (the fumble itself cannot advance the ball).
162:
A sometimes controversial maxim is "the ground cannot cause a fumble". If a player is tackled and loses control of the ball at or after the time he makes contact with the ground, the player is treated as down and the ball is not in play. However, in the
501:
ever since, and after the 1978 season, the NFL instituted the current rule that a forward fumble in the last two minutes of play (or on fourth down) can only be advanced, if recovered by the fumbling team, by the player who originally
669:, allowing the Seahawks to run the clock out and win the game. Since this game, a common stereotype has been used to paint Romo as a "choker" in big moments by detractors with this particular incident as the most common example.
86:
on 4th down at any point during the game, when the fumbler is the only offensive player allowed to advance the ball, otherwise the ball is ruled dead at the spot of the fumble, except when it is recovered for a loss.)
1346:
Most opponents' fumbles returned or recovered for touchdowns, game: Fred "Dippy" Evans, Chicago Bears vs. Washington
Redskins, November 28, 1948, Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers vs Minnesota Vikings, November 29,
531:
with the ball on the play before, it was expected they would do it and the game would be over. However, the kneel-down play was not universally accepted as an honorable way to win a game at the time, and Giants'
788:
commonly record how many fumbles a team made and how many it recovered. A fumble is credited to the last player who handled it from the possessing team, regardless of whether it may have been his fault or not.
605:
and the game ended in a 38-33 Broncos victory. The play has entered
Cleveland sports lore as one of several instances in which the city's teams were frustrated at the last minute on the way to possible future
434:
Fumbles have sometimes played a role in deciding games. Some of these have been so unique as to not only earn their own distinctive sobriquets, but to change the way the game has been played afterwards.
1524:
665:
was set to kick a go-ahead 19-yard field goal. Romo recovered his fumble and attempted to run the ball in for a touchdown or a first down, but was tackled inches short of the first down marker by
419:. A player from each team would sprint, alongside the other, toward a loose ball at the middle of the field, and whoever was able to gain possession won the right for their team to decide.
635:, who had sprinted down the field unseen by Lett, caught up inside the 5 yard line and was able to knock the ball loose from behind. The ball subsequently rolled out of the end zone for a
625:
had recovered one of the Bills' record-setting five lost fumbles in late in the game and had slowed down as he approached the goal line, waving his arms out to his side in celebration.
748:
on the 20 and ran 90 yards for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown. Generations of fans, reviewing the film, have disagreed on whether
Hunsinger fumbled or attempted a
285:
If the ball remains loose, every player on the field will eventually gravitate towards it, increasing the chaos around it. Spectators relish the suspense. Some players, particularly
489:, attempted to recover it but batted it forward when they could not. Finally it reached the end zone, where Casper fell on it for the tying touchdown, which cleared the way for the
1740:
597:
barely managed to reach out and jar the ball loose from his grip. The touchdown-that-wasn't would have tied the game (assuming a made extra point) and kept alive the Browns'
493:
that gave the
Raiders the win. Officials decided to allow the touchdown on the grounds that the fumbles did not appear to be intentional and thus could not be considered
1622:
1140:
Most opponents' fumbles recovered for touchdowns, game: 2, many times by many teams, most recently by the Green Bay
Packers vs. St. Louis Rams, November 29, 2004.
1950:
1808:
1400:
Most fumble recoveries for touchdowns: 3; Detroit Lions (2) vs. Minnesota
Vikings (1), December 9, 1962 (2 own, 1 opponents'); Green Bay Packers (2) vs.
1251:
1595:
1569:
618:'s loss of the ball on the way to an apparent touchdown late in the game has gone down in football history as one of the most preventable fumbles. The
2535:
426:. Because of a high rate of injury in these events, the idea never caught on in any other level of football, and the coin toss remains the standard.
1733:
378:
2550:
550:
for one more run up the middle to end the game. Csonka was reluctant to take the ball, and instead
Pisarcik fumbled the handoff, allowing Eagles'
258:
229:
A fumbled ball that is touched by an out-of-bounds player is considered an out-of-bounds fumble, even if the ball never leaves the field of play.
2633:
2628:
395:
play (see below) demonstrated, once was a viable offensive tactic in desperate situations, but the rules have been changed to discourage that.
348:
Coaches are also increasingly encouraging their players to use the "scoop and score" method of picking it up and attempting to return it for a
364:
known as the "fake fumble" calls for the quarterback to lay the ball on the ground as he backs up after receiving the snap, so that a pulling
870:
342:
and upper body, if possible. This greatly reduces both the chance of losing the ball and the potential for injury (at least from the ball).
216:
82:. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking, punting, or successful handing that results in loss of ball possession by a player.
1784:
1769:
1726:
254:
2499:
1779:
2043:
1500:
699:
289:, have a reputation for taking advantage of the situation to do things to opponents that would otherwise draw penalties, since the
2530:
2103:
2038:
1319:
1280:
602:
205:
1870:
1110:
461:
392:
1343:
Most opponents' fumbles returned or recovered for touchdowns, season: 2, over 30 players as described above ending with Chinn.
2348:
2088:
1940:
1865:
1438:
1228:
1191:
296:
The usual aftermath of a fumble, at every level of play, is a pile of players, many still squirming diligently despite the
108:. A muff occurs where a player drops a ball that he does not have clear possession of, such as while attempting to catch a
2597:
2545:
2378:
2373:
2033:
1990:
1818:
147:
Any number of fumbles can be committed during a play, including fumbles by the team originally on defense. Most famously,
117:
105:
78:
occurs when a player who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed (tackled), scoring, or going
2520:
2478:
2474:
2470:
2198:
2028:
1945:
1774:
1238:
566:
544:
345:
Fumbles cannot be recovered with any body part that does not also involve at least one of the recovering player's arms.
2577:
2489:
2181:
412:
1665:
1481:
144:. However, if the receiver catches the ball, but then drops it after gaining control of the ball, that is a fumble.
2587:
1889:
1855:
1670:
1652:
1453:
507:
208:, subject to the momentum rules that apply to safeties. If the opponent forced the ball into the end zone, it is a
1427:
2353:
2343:
2287:
1850:
1519:
1390:
1367:
870 (Steven Jackson, Rams/Falcons/Patriots RB-November 13, 2011 fumble against Browns was last fumble of career)
972:
888:
771:
at the Toronto nine-yard line and returned the ball for a Grey Cup-record-setting 109 yards for a touchdown. The
365:
328:
273:. Coaches at lower levels of the game usually therefore prefer that players, particularly those such as interior
270:
1337:
Most own fumbles recovered or advanced for touchdowns, season: 2; Rashad, 1974, Rodgers, 1982, and Curtis, 2007.
650:
590:
2368:
2249:
2244:
2236:
2164:
2159:
2058:
2048:
1315:
233:
168:
164:
113:
1460:
1098:
Most own fumble recoveries for touchdowns, game: 2, Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots, September 1, 1996
282:
recover it. A loose ball has been described as the only situation in football where the rules are suspended.
2572:
2053:
1960:
1894:
1791:
1573:
1434:
679:
640:
31:
1685:
2602:
2254:
662:
2592:
2439:
2317:
1467:
695:
562:
533:
311:
Fumbles recovered for touchdowns in the end zone are often the only way offensive linemen score points.
250:
775:
tied the game up 24–24 with under five minutes to play in regulation, and Toronto went on to win 27–24.
2582:
2408:
2295:
2093:
1901:
1064:
687:
2607:
2413:
1911:
1860:
1449:
1386:
1382:
1361:
1126:
968:
915:
900:
892:
817:
520:
407:, a competing pro league which played its sole season in 2001, used a fumble recovery instead of a
90:
1327:
543:(with whom he had been having a running feud over play-calling authority) to hand the ball off to
422:
The idea was that such a key element of the game would be decided by a test of playing skill, not
63:
2557:
2305:
2300:
1830:
1214:
1177:
1080:
855:
828:
764:
733:
470:
274:
1544:
2567:
2403:
2282:
2226:
2108:
2002:
1935:
1825:
1803:
1764:
1749:
1648:
1290:
1218:
1023:
907:
851:
772:
622:
594:
528:
416:
381:
banned it in 1992. It has almost never been used in the NFL or any other professional league.
286:
245:
183:
98:
75:
1234:
Most own fumbles recovered, game: 4, holders the same as most fumbles recovered, game, above.
2449:
2388:
2312:
2277:
2007:
1918:
1840:
1286:
Most fumble recoveries or returns for touchdowns, season: 2, over 30 players, most recently
1255:
1166:
1015:
942:
926:
896:
737:
666:
654:
610:
582:
478:
374:
269:, attempting to recover and advance a fumbled ball is risky even for those with good manual
156:
2562:
2221:
2139:
2124:
1928:
1698:
1351:
1293:
1266:
1162:
1134:
1130:
1122:
1118:
1114:
1106:
1092:
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1084:
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1072:
1068:
1060:
1050:
1046:
1042:
1038:
1034:
1027:
1019:
1008:
1001:
993:
979:
953:
946:
938:
934:
930:
919:
911:
881:
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843:
832:
821:
813:
729:
516:
512:
466:
301:
266:
141:
373:
is most likely to be used in informal touch football games. It was sometimes used in the
1250:
Most opponents' fumbles recovered, game: 3, held by 15 different players, most recently
2444:
2434:
2418:
2383:
2149:
2144:
2063:
1813:
1798:
1401:
1394:
1389:(6), November 14, 1937; Chicago Bears (7) vs. Cleveland Browns (7), November 24, 1940;
1202:
1033:
Most fumble recoveries for touchdowns, season: 5; Chicago Bears (1 own, 4 opponents'),
997:
960:
859:
760:
756:
711:
619:
586:
554:
524:
320:
305:
148:
129:
51:
43:
1340:
Most opponents' fumbles returned or recovered for touchdowns, career: 6, Jason Taylor.
497:, but Stabler freely admitted his was. Chargers fans have referred to the play as the
2622:
2525:
2515:
2398:
2363:
2358:
1923:
1845:
1299:
1206:
1158:
1102:
986:
967:, December 13, 1964; Pittsburgh Steelers (5/5) vs. Houston Oilers, December 9, 1973;
964:
863:
847:
809:
745:
741:
725:
683:
629:
626:
578:
482:
408:
338:
Instead, players are taught to fall on their sides and augment their cradling with a
79:
1474:
2494:
2454:
2393:
2327:
2322:
2211:
2134:
2129:
1906:
1331:
1311:
1307:
1287:
1210:
768:
749:
707:
691:
547:
540:
527:
left. All the Giants had to do was snap the ball one more time, and since they had
523:. With 31 seconds left to play, they had the ball on third down. The Eagles had no
494:
473:
through another intentional fumble. With ten seconds left, down 20–14, quarterback
446:
385:
137:
109:
94:
47:
39:
174:
When a fumbled ball goes out of bounds before being recovered, the result varies:
62:
The rate of fumbles by running backs in the NFL has decreased steadily since the
2540:
2216:
2186:
1596:"USFL adds new rules for 2023, brings back popular innovations from last season"
1416:
1323:
1273:
1198:
1184:
1151:
674:
490:
486:
474:
2484:
2269:
2098:
1980:
1975:
1303:
1262:
1173:
598:
573:
551:
536:
404:
361:
327:. Amateur players are seen doing this all the time, particularly when playing
220:
1718:
2259:
2176:
2169:
2083:
1995:
1244:
1113:), 1948; Los Angeles Rams, 1952; San Francisco 49ers, 1965; Denver Broncos,
785:
703:
658:
636:
632:
615:
349:
209:
194:
189:
If a ball is fumbled in the field of play, goes forward into the opponent's
152:
1407:
Most opponents' fumbles recovered for touchdowns: 3 (see last four above).
2154:
2023:
1985:
1056:
Most fumble recoveries for touchdowns, game: 2, many teams in many games.
839:
290:
201:
190:
179:
1393:(8) vs. New York Giants (6), September 17, 1961; Kansas City Chiefs vs.
324:
297:
17:
265:
Since footballs tend to bounce in unpredictable ways, particularly on
1059:
Most own fumble recoveries for touchdowns, season: 2; Chicago Bears,
140:
is attempted and is not caught. In this latter case, it is simply an
58:
1298:
Most own fumbles recovered or advanced for touchdowns, career: 2;
339:
319:
The most obvious way to recover a loose football would be to fall
300:, surrounded by teammates pointing upfield (the hand signal for a
244:
57:
1835:
469:
won a September 10, 1978, contest against divisional rivals the
423:
1722:
1205:, St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Giants, September 17, 1961;
1666:"NFL Fumble Return Yards Career Playoffs Leaders (Since 1945)"
1525:
List of National Football League annual forced fumbles leaders
1410:
1269:, Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins, November 5, 2000.
1217:, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Oakland Raiders, November 30, 1986 (
1209:, Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers, October 12, 1969;
992:
Fewest own fumbles recovered, season: 2; Washington Redskins,
1279:
Most fumble recoveries or returns for touchdowns, career: 6,
1265:, Oakland Raiders vs. Green Bay Packers, September 24, 1972;
1101:
Most opponents' fumbles recovered for touchdowns, season: 4;
577:: The dubious honor of having committed "The" fumble goes to
519:
were closing out an apparent 17–12 victory over the visiting
1276:, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens, January 15, 2023.
593:. He appeared to be on his way to a certain touchdown until
698:
and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the Patriots'
1201:, Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants, October 25, 1953;
1007:
Most opponents' fumbles recovered: 31, Minnesota Vikings,
978:
Fewest fumbles recovered, season: 9, San Francisco 49ers,
585:. On January 17, 1988, he lost the ball just short of the
369:
both not usually part of the skill set for the position.
1213:, Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins, September 18, 1977;
643:, have led to him being ill-remembered by football fans.
952:
Most fumbles recovered, season: 58, Minnesota Vikings,
694:
slipped and collided with the backside of his teammate
1354:, never fumbled, 622 touches (through 2021 NFL season)
714:
recovered and returned for another Patriots touchdown.
1075:; Oakland Raiders, 1978; Green Bay Packers, 1982 and
104:
Under American rules a fumble may be confused with a
1224:
Most own fumbles recovered, career: 56, Warren Moon.
880:
Fewest fumbles lost, season: 2, Kansas City Chiefs,
411:
to decide which team would get to choose whether to
331:, and it can even be seen in professional contests.
323:
atop it and cradle it between both arms against the
249:
Officials sort out possession after a fumble at the
200:
If a team fumbles the ball out of bounds in its own
2508:
2463:
2427:
2336:
2268:
2235:
2197:
2117:
2076:
2016:
1968:
1959:
1879:
1757:
1441:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
481:at the Chargers' 15-yard line. Two other players,
415:or receive at the opening of the game and before
193:, and then goes over the end line or sideline, a
182:is retained by the last team with possession (in
89:A fumble is one of three events that can cause a
1350:Fewest fumbles, career (more than 400 touches):
1133:; New Orleans Saints, 1998; Kansas City Chiefs,
159:while celebrating during his own fumble return.
112:or improperly fielding a kicking play such as a
1237:Most opponents' fumbles recovered, career: 29,
1243:Most opponents' fumbles recovered, season: 9,
1734:
1041:; San Francisco 49ers (1 own, 4 opponents'),
678:: On November 22, 2012, during the primetime
657:, Dallas Cowboys quarterback and kick holder
8:
1121:; Minnesota Vikings, 1989; Atlanta Falcons,
1357:Most consecutive touches without a fumble:
601:hopes. Instead, the Broncos spotted them a
384:The best-known fake fumble is probably the
1965:
1741:
1727:
1719:
1037:; Los Angeles Rams (1 own, 4 opponents'),
388:play in the 1984 Orange Bowl (see below).
1501:Learn how and when to remove this message
1272:Longest playoff fumble Return: 98 yards,
178:A fumble going out of bounds between the
1621:"Rule 8, Section 7, Article 3: Fumble".
1227:Most own fumbles recovered, season: 12,
1014:Fewest opponents' fumbles recovered: 3,
985:Most own fumbles recovered, season: 37,
589:' goal line with 65 seconds left in the
557:to return it for the winning touchdown.
477:fumbled the ball forward to avoid being
38:
1535:
925:Fewest opponents' fumbles, season: 11,
862:, October 12, 1969; San Francisco vs.
54:during a 2010 NFL regular season game.
906:Most opponents' fumbles, season: 50,
706:. Adding insult to injury, the Jets'
7:
1439:adding citations to reliable sources
1190:Most fumbles recovered, season: 12,
1183:Most fumbles recovered, career: 56,
27:Live loose ball in gridiron football
710:fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which
1261:Longest fumble return: 104 yards,
959:Most fumbles recovered, game: 10,
25:
1570:"2020 NFL Rulebook Article 8-7-3"
1197:Most fumbles recovered, game: 4;
399:Use in place of opening coin toss
278:the ball back to the other team.
197:is awarded to the defensive team.
1871:Rules of gridiron football codes
1688:, The Wall Street Journal Online
1415:
759:in 2017, the Toronto Argonauts'
1426:needs additional citations for
1109:; Chicago Bears, 1942; Boston (
869:Most fumbles lost, season: 36,
808:Most own fumbles, season: 56;
719:Professional Canadian football
565:and preserve a victory became
1:
2634:Canadian football terminology
2629:American football terminology
1364:, longest streak since 1991)
724:In the fourth quarter of the
50:fumbles the ball against the
1809:American–Canadian comparison
887:Most fumbles lost, game: 8,
567:standard operating procedure
515:, on November 19, 1978, the
116:(a player cannot "fumble" a
1653:Tuesday Morning Quarterback
1150:Most fumbles, career: 166,
827:Fewest fumbles, season: 6,
740:' 15-yard line. Edmonton's
661:dropped the ball as kicker
653:Wild Card round versus the
128:If the ball is fumbled the
2650:
1671:Pro-Football-Reference.com
1157:Most fumbles, season: 23;
752:to an ineligible receiver.
508:Miracle at the Meadowlands
136:It is not a fumble when a
29:
1543:Referee (July 21, 2017).
1520:Knock-on (disambiguation)
1176:, Kansas City Chiefs vs.
963:(5 own, 5 opponents) vs.
391:Fumbling forward, as the
2369:Total quarterback rating
838:Most fumbles, game: 10;
93:(the other two being an
1686:Thou Shalt Never Fumble
1545:"Football Ground Rules"
1172:Most fumbles, game: 7,
1117:; St. Louis Cardinals,
1067:, 1973; Buffalo Bills,
1049:(2 own, 3 opponents'),
32:Fumble (disambiguation)
2255:Fourth down conversion
1095:; Buffalo Bills, 2000.
315:Proper fumble recovery
262:
67:
55:
2593:Touchdown celebration
2318:Running out the clock
1630:. XFL. pp. 61–62
1254:, St. Louis Rams vs.
854:, November 12, 1967;
736:lost the ball on the
680:Thanksgiving Day game
641:Thanksgiving Day game
591:AFC championship game
534:offensive coordinator
251:2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl
248:
61:
42:
2583:Running up the score
2409:Yards from scrimmage
2094:Two-point conversion
2089:One-point conversion
1684:, January 18, 2012,
1651:, October 11, 2005,
1576:on December 18, 2020
1435:improve this article
1180:, November 15, 1964.
1087:; Cleveland Browns,
1065:New England Patriots
903:, December 23, 1990.
895:, October 25, 1976;
866:, December 17, 1978.
840:Phil-Pitt "Steagles"
688:New England Patriots
651:2006–07 NFL playoffs
539:ordered quarterback
499:Immaculate Deception
356:Intentional fumbling
30:For other uses, see
2414:All-purpose yardage
1397:, October 12, 1969.
1391:St. Louis Cardinals
1387:Pittsburgh Steelers
1383:Washington Redskins
1362:LaDainian Tomlinson
1258:, November 9, 2003.
1127:Philadelphia Eagles
973:St. Louis Cardinals
969:Washington Redskins
916:San Francisco 49ers
901:Pittsburgh Steelers
893:Washington Redskins
889:St. Louis Cardinals
846:, October 9, 1943;
818:San Francisco 49ers
702:and returned for a
690:, Jets quarterback
647:Romo's fumbled hold
521:Philadelphia Eagles
360:A very rarely used
241:Play during fumbles
1649:Easterbrook, Gregg
1624:2023 XFL Rule Book
1381:Most fumbles: 14,
1215:Randall Cunningham
1178:San Diego Chargers
1091:; Miami Dolphins,
1081:New Orleans Saints
1071:; Denver Broncos,
975:, October 25, 1976
856:Kansas City Chiefs
829:New Orleans Saints
765:Calgary Stampeders
734:Montreal Alouettes
471:San Diego Chargers
263:
68:
56:
2616:
2615:
2404:Yards after catch
2227:Turnover on downs
2072:
2071:
2003:Line of scrimmage
1750:Gridiron football
1511:
1510:
1503:
1485:
1291:Carolina Panthers
1024:Green Bay Packers
908:Minnesota Vikings
871:Chicago Cardinals
852:Minnesota Vikings
773:two-point convert
763:capitalized on a
595:Jeremiah Castille
563:run out the clock
287:offensive linemen
184:Canadian football
99:turnover on downs
76:gridiron football
16:(Redirected from
2641:
2450:Three-cone drill
2313:Clock management
2008:Field goal range
1966:
1743:
1736:
1729:
1720:
1714:
1713:
1711:
1709:
1699:"Steven Jackson"
1695:
1689:
1682:
1676:
1675:
1662:
1656:
1646:
1640:
1639:
1637:
1635:
1629:
1618:
1612:
1611:
1609:
1607:
1602:. April 13, 2023
1592:
1586:
1585:
1583:
1581:
1572:. Archived from
1566:
1560:
1559:
1557:
1555:
1540:
1506:
1499:
1495:
1492:
1486:
1484:
1443:
1419:
1411:
1256:Baltimore Ravens
1167:Daunte Culpepper
1016:Los Angeles Rams
943:Tennessee Titans
927:Cleveland Browns
897:Cleveland Browns
738:Edmonton Eskimos
667:Jordan Babineaux
663:MartĂn Gramática
655:Seattle Seahawks
623:defensive tackle
611:Super Bowl XXVII
583:Cleveland Browns
439:College football
215:However, in the
157:Super Bowl XXVII
21:
2649:
2648:
2644:
2643:
2642:
2640:
2639:
2638:
2619:
2618:
2617:
2612:
2563:Gatorade shower
2504:
2459:
2423:
2379:Receiving yards
2332:
2264:
2231:
2193:
2140:Incomplete pass
2113:
2068:
2012:
1955:
1875:
1856:Street/Backyard
1753:
1747:
1717:
1707:
1705:
1697:
1696:
1692:
1683:
1679:
1664:
1663:
1659:
1647:
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1633:
1631:
1627:
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1615:
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1579:
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1568:
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1563:
1553:
1551:
1542:
1541:
1537:
1533:
1516:
1507:
1496:
1490:
1487:
1444:
1442:
1432:
1420:
1378:
1352:Jamaal Williams
1267:Aeneas Williams
1147:
1047:Oakland Raiders
935:Baltimore Colts
844:New York Giants
805:
800:
795:
782:
730:Chuck Hunsinger
721:
517:New York Giants
467:Oakland Raiders
456:
441:
432:
401:
358:
317:
267:artificial turf
243:
232:In addition, a
155:fumbled during
142:incomplete pass
126:
35:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
2647:
2645:
2637:
2636:
2631:
2621:
2620:
2614:
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2611:
2610:
2605:
2600:
2595:
2590:
2585:
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2575:
2570:
2565:
2560:
2555:
2554:
2553:
2543:
2538:
2533:
2528:
2523:
2518:
2512:
2510:
2506:
2505:
2503:
2502:
2500:Instant replay
2497:
2492:
2487:
2482:
2467:
2465:
2461:
2460:
2458:
2457:
2452:
2447:
2445:Oklahoma drill
2442:
2437:
2435:Practice squad
2431:
2429:
2425:
2424:
2422:
2421:
2419:Touchdown pass
2416:
2411:
2406:
2401:
2396:
2391:
2386:
2384:Pass deflected
2381:
2376:
2371:
2366:
2361:
2356:
2351:
2346:
2340:
2338:
2334:
2333:
2331:
2330:
2325:
2320:
2315:
2310:
2309:
2308:
2303:
2298:
2292:Time warnings
2290:
2285:
2280:
2274:
2272:
2266:
2265:
2263:
2262:
2257:
2252:
2247:
2241:
2239:
2233:
2232:
2230:
2229:
2224:
2222:"Peanut Punch"
2219:
2214:
2209:
2203:
2201:
2195:
2194:
2192:
2191:
2190:
2189:
2179:
2174:
2173:
2172:
2162:
2157:
2152:
2150:Hail Mary pass
2147:
2145:Drop-back pass
2142:
2137:
2132:
2127:
2121:
2119:
2115:
2114:
2112:
2111:
2109:Single (rouge)
2106:
2101:
2096:
2091:
2086:
2080:
2078:
2074:
2073:
2070:
2069:
2067:
2066:
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2041:
2036:
2031:
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2020:
2018:
2014:
2013:
2011:
2010:
2005:
2000:
1999:
1998:
1993:
1988:
1983:
1972:
1970:
1963:
1957:
1956:
1954:
1953:
1948:
1943:
1938:
1933:
1932:
1931:
1926:
1916:
1915:
1914:
1912:Junior varsity
1909:
1899:
1898:
1897:
1892:
1883:
1881:
1880:Levels of play
1877:
1876:
1874:
1873:
1868:
1863:
1858:
1853:
1848:
1843:
1838:
1833:
1828:
1823:
1822:
1821:
1816:
1814:Burnside rules
1811:
1801:
1796:
1795:
1794:
1789:
1788:
1787:
1782:
1772:
1761:
1759:
1755:
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1745:
1738:
1731:
1723:
1716:
1715:
1690:
1677:
1657:
1641:
1613:
1587:
1561:
1534:
1532:
1529:
1528:
1527:
1522:
1515:
1512:
1509:
1508:
1423:
1421:
1414:
1409:
1408:
1405:
1402:Dallas Cowboys
1398:
1395:Houston Oilers
1377:
1374:
1373:
1372:
1371:
1370:
1369:
1368:
1355:
1348:
1344:
1341:
1338:
1335:
1296:
1284:
1277:
1270:
1259:
1248:
1241:
1235:
1232:
1225:
1222:
1203:Sam Etcheverry
1195:
1188:
1181:
1170:
1155:
1146:
1143:
1142:
1141:
1138:
1099:
1096:
1057:
1054:
1031:
1012:
1005:
998:Miami Dolphins
990:
983:
976:
961:Denver Broncos
957:
950:
923:
904:
885:
878:
867:
860:Houston Oilers
836:
825:
804:
801:
799:
796:
794:
791:
781:
778:
777:
776:
761:Cassius Vaughn
757:105th Grey Cup
753:
744:recovered the
728:game in 1954,
720:
717:
716:
715:
712:Julian Edelman
670:
644:
620:Dallas Cowboys
607:
587:Denver Broncos
570:
555:Herman Edwards
503:
495:forward passes
455:
452:
451:
450:
440:
437:
431:
430:Famous fumbles
428:
400:
397:
357:
354:
329:touch football
316:
313:
306:instant replay
242:
239:
227:
226:
225:
224:
198:
187:
149:Dallas Cowboys
130:defensive team
125:
122:
64:AFL–NFL merger
52:Dallas Cowboys
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2646:
2635:
2632:
2630:
2627:
2626:
2624:
2609:
2606:
2604:
2601:
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2579:
2576:
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2569:
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2564:
2561:
2559:
2556:
2552:
2549:
2548:
2547:
2544:
2542:
2539:
2537:
2534:
2532:
2529:
2527:
2526:Coaching tree
2524:
2522:
2519:
2517:
2514:
2513:
2511:
2507:
2501:
2498:
2496:
2493:
2491:
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2453:
2451:
2448:
2446:
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2441:
2438:
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2433:
2432:
2430:
2426:
2420:
2417:
2415:
2412:
2410:
2407:
2405:
2402:
2400:
2399:Total offense
2397:
2395:
2392:
2390:
2387:
2385:
2382:
2380:
2377:
2375:
2372:
2370:
2367:
2365:
2364:Passer rating
2362:
2360:
2359:Passing yards
2357:
2355:
2354:Rushing yards
2352:
2350:
2347:
2345:
2342:
2341:
2339:
2335:
2329:
2326:
2324:
2321:
2319:
2316:
2314:
2311:
2307:
2304:
2302:
2299:
2297:
2294:
2293:
2291:
2289:
2286:
2284:
2281:
2279:
2276:
2275:
2273:
2271:
2267:
2261:
2258:
2256:
2253:
2251:
2250:Three-and-out
2248:
2246:
2243:
2242:
2240:
2238:
2234:
2228:
2225:
2223:
2220:
2218:
2215:
2213:
2210:
2208:
2205:
2204:
2202:
2200:
2196:
2188:
2185:
2184:
2183:
2180:
2178:
2175:
2171:
2168:
2167:
2166:
2163:
2161:
2158:
2156:
2153:
2151:
2148:
2146:
2143:
2141:
2138:
2136:
2133:
2131:
2128:
2126:
2123:
2122:
2120:
2118:Ball handling
2116:
2110:
2107:
2105:
2102:
2100:
2097:
2095:
2092:
2090:
2087:
2085:
2082:
2081:
2079:
2075:
2065:
2062:
2060:
2057:
2055:
2052:
2050:
2047:
2045:
2044:Coffin corner
2042:
2040:
2037:
2035:
2032:
2030:
2027:
2025:
2022:
2021:
2019:
2015:
2009:
2006:
2004:
2001:
1997:
1994:
1992:
1989:
1987:
1984:
1982:
1979:
1978:
1977:
1974:
1973:
1971:
1967:
1964:
1962:
1958:
1952:
1951:International
1949:
1947:
1944:
1942:
1939:
1937:
1934:
1930:
1927:
1925:
1922:
1921:
1920:
1917:
1913:
1910:
1908:
1905:
1904:
1903:
1900:
1896:
1893:
1891:
1888:
1887:
1886:Youth/midget
1885:
1884:
1882:
1878:
1872:
1869:
1867:
1864:
1862:
1859:
1857:
1854:
1852:
1849:
1847:
1844:
1842:
1839:
1837:
1834:
1832:
1829:
1827:
1824:
1820:
1817:
1815:
1812:
1810:
1807:
1806:
1805:
1802:
1800:
1797:
1793:
1790:
1786:
1783:
1781:
1778:
1777:
1776:
1773:
1771:
1768:
1767:
1766:
1763:
1762:
1760:
1756:
1751:
1744:
1739:
1737:
1732:
1730:
1725:
1724:
1721:
1704:
1700:
1694:
1691:
1687:
1681:
1678:
1673:
1672:
1667:
1661:
1658:
1654:
1650:
1645:
1642:
1634:September 14,
1626:
1625:
1617:
1614:
1606:September 14,
1601:
1597:
1591:
1588:
1580:September 14,
1575:
1571:
1565:
1562:
1550:
1546:
1539:
1536:
1530:
1526:
1523:
1521:
1518:
1517:
1513:
1505:
1502:
1494:
1483:
1480:
1476:
1473:
1469:
1466:
1462:
1459:
1455:
1452: –
1451:
1447:
1446:Find sources:
1440:
1436:
1430:
1429:
1424:This article
1422:
1418:
1413:
1412:
1406:
1403:
1399:
1396:
1392:
1388:
1384:
1380:
1379:
1375:
1366:
1365:
1363:
1359:
1358:
1356:
1353:
1349:
1345:
1342:
1339:
1336:
1333:
1329:
1325:
1321:
1317:
1313:
1309:
1305:
1301:
1300:Ken Kavanaugh
1297:
1295:
1292:
1289:
1285:
1282:
1278:
1275:
1271:
1268:
1264:
1260:
1257:
1253:
1249:
1246:
1242:
1240:
1236:
1233:
1230:
1226:
1223:
1220:
1216:
1212:
1208:
1207:Roman Gabriel
1204:
1200:
1196:
1193:
1189:
1186:
1182:
1179:
1175:
1171:
1168:
1164:
1160:
1159:Kerry Collins
1156:
1153:
1149:
1148:
1144:
1139:
1136:
1132:
1128:
1124:
1120:
1116:
1112:
1108:
1104:
1103:Detroit Lions
1100:
1097:
1094:
1090:
1086:
1082:
1078:
1074:
1070:
1066:
1062:
1058:
1055:
1052:
1048:
1044:
1040:
1036:
1032:
1029:
1025:
1021:
1017:
1013:
1010:
1006:
1003:
999:
995:
991:
988:
987:Chicago Bears
984:
981:
977:
974:
970:
966:
965:Buffalo Bills
962:
958:
955:
951:
948:
944:
940:
936:
932:
928:
924:
921:
917:
913:
909:
905:
902:
898:
894:
890:
886:
883:
879:
876:
872:
868:
865:
864:Detroit Lions
861:
857:
853:
849:
848:Detroit Lions
845:
841:
837:
834:
830:
826:
823:
819:
815:
811:
810:Chicago Bears
807:
806:
802:
797:
792:
790:
787:
780:In statistics
779:
774:
770:
766:
762:
758:
754:
751:
747:
746:bouncing ball
743:
742:Jackie Parker
739:
735:
731:
727:
726:42nd Grey Cup
723:
722:
718:
713:
709:
705:
701:
700:Steve Gregory
697:
696:Brandon Moore
693:
689:
685:
684:New York Jets
681:
677:
676:
671:
668:
664:
660:
656:
652:
648:
645:
642:
638:
634:
631:
630:wide receiver
628:
627:Buffalo Bills
624:
621:
617:
613:
612:
608:
604:
600:
596:
592:
588:
584:
580:
579:Earnest Byner
576:
575:
571:
568:
564:
560:
556:
553:
549:
546:
542:
538:
535:
530:
526:
522:
518:
514:
510:
509:
504:
500:
496:
492:
488:
484:
483:Pete Banaszak
480:
476:
472:
468:
464:
463:
458:
457:
453:
449:
448:
443:
442:
438:
436:
429:
427:
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414:
410:
406:
398:
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389:
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355:
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351:
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341:
336:
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314:
312:
309:
307:
303:
299:
294:
292:
288:
283:
279:
276:
272:
268:
260:
259:Virginia Tech
256:
252:
247:
240:
238:
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230:
222:
218:
214:
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177:
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158:
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150:
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134:
131:
123:
121:
119:
115:
111:
107:
102:
100:
96:
92:
87:
83:
81:
80:out of bounds
77:
73:
65:
60:
53:
49:
46:running back
45:
44:Houston Texan
41:
37:
33:
19:
2603:Trading card
2495:Penalty flag
2455:Film session
2394:Return yards
2328:Garbage time
2323:Untimed play
2212:Interception
2206:
2130:Forward pass
2039:Neutral zone
1941:Professional
1706:. Retrieved
1702:
1693:
1680:
1669:
1660:
1644:
1632:. Retrieved
1623:
1616:
1604:. Retrieved
1599:
1590:
1578:. Retrieved
1574:the original
1564:
1552:. Retrieved
1548:
1538:
1497:
1488:
1478:
1471:
1464:
1457:
1445:
1433:Please help
1428:verification
1425:
1332:Kevin Curtis
1328:Alan Richard
1320:Drew Pearson
1316:Jim Mitchell
1312:Ahmad Rashad
1308:Gail Cogdill
1288:Jeremy Chinn
1281:Jason Taylor
1239:Jim Marshall
1211:Joe Ferguson
783:
769:Kamar Jorden
750:forward pass
708:Joe McKnight
692:Mark Sanchez
682:between the
673:
646:
609:
572:
558:
548:Larry Csonka
541:Joe Pisarcik
505:
498:
460:
447:Fumblerooski
444:
433:
421:
402:
390:
386:Fumblerooski
383:
375:college game
371:
359:
347:
344:
337:
333:
318:
310:
295:
284:
280:
271:coordination
264:
231:
228:
173:
161:
146:
138:forward pass
135:
127:
110:lateral pass
103:
95:interception
88:
84:
71:
69:
48:Arian Foster
36:
2608:Twelfth man
2541:Football IQ
2531:Concussions
2464:Officiating
2217:Muffed punt
2187:Onside kick
1902:High school
1708:October 15,
1549:Referee.com
1324:Del Rodgers
1274:Sam Hubbard
1252:Brian Young
1199:Otto Graham
1185:Warren Moon
1154:, 1992–2010
1152:Brett Favre
675:butt fumble
569:in the NFL.
513:that season
491:extra point
487:Dave Casper
475:Ken Stabler
462:Holy Roller
393:Holy Roller
377:before the
2623:Categories
2546:Formations
2485:Chain crew
2440:Two-a-days
2349:Completion
2337:Statistics
2270:Play clock
2245:First down
2099:Field goal
1981:Hash marks
1976:Yard lines
1890:Pop Warner
1866:Wheelchair
1861:Powderpuff
1600:Fox Sports
1554:January 2,
1531:References
1461:newspapers
1304:Mike Ditka
1263:Jack Tatum
1229:David Carr
1192:David Carr
1174:Len Dawson
1125:and 1998;
971:(2/8) vs.
786:box scores
767:fumble by
599:Super Bowl
574:The Fumble
559:The Fumble
552:cornerback
537:Bob Gibson
362:trick play
302:first down
118:loose ball
2598:Tuck rule
2578:Positions
2558:Letterman
2536:Equipment
2374:Reception
2260:Dead ball
2199:Turnovers
2177:Drop kick
2170:Touchback
2084:Touchdown
2034:Dead zone
1996:Sidelines
1991:Goal line
1655:, NFL.com
1245:Don Hultz
704:touchdown
659:Tony Romo
649:: In the
637:touchback
633:Don Beebe
616:Leon Lett
409:coin toss
350:touchdown
291:officials
210:touchback
195:touchback
180:end zones
153:Leon Lett
151:defender
2588:Strategy
2568:Overtime
2521:Blocking
2479:Canadian
2475:American
2471:Official
2428:Practice
2155:Hand-off
2029:Red zone
2024:End zone
1986:End line
1936:Semi-pro
1819:Glossary
1804:Canadian
1770:Glossary
1765:American
1752:concepts
1514:See also
1491:May 2008
1450:"Fumble"
1385:(8) vs.
545:fullback
525:timeouts
511:: Later
502:fumbled.
417:overtime
413:kick off
253:between
202:end zone
191:end zone
91:turnover
2509:Related
2490:Penalty
2278:Timeout
2182:Kickoff
2135:Lateral
2077:Scoring
1946:Women's
1919:College
1907:Varsity
1775:History
1703:NFL.com
1475:scholar
1247:, 1963.
1231:, 2002.
1194:, 2002.
1169:, 2002.
1145:Players
989:, 1938.
793:Records
755:In the
732:of the
581:of the
325:abdomen
298:whistle
275:linemen
255:Georgia
18:Fumbles
2306:1 min.
2301:2 min.
2296:3 min.
2207:Fumble
2104:Safety
2064:Pocket
2017:Spaces
1929:Sprint
1785:Modern
1477:
1470:
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1456:
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1330:, and
606:glory.
603:safety
479:sacked
465:: The
424:chance
234:punted
206:safety
72:fumble
2573:Plays
2344:Carry
2288:Spike
2283:Kneel
2237:Downs
1969:Lines
1961:Field
1851:Touch
1841:6-man
1836:7-man
1831:8-man
1826:9-man
1799:Arena
1792:Rules
1780:Early
1758:Codes
1628:(PDF)
1482:JSTOR
1468:books
1376:Games
1360:712 (
1347:2020.
803:Teams
784:Game
529:knelt
366:guard
340:thigh
321:prone
124:Rules
97:or a
2551:List
2516:Ball
2389:Sack
2165:Punt
2160:Rush
2125:Snap
2059:Hole
2049:Flat
1924:Club
1846:Flag
1710:2018
1636:2023
1608:2023
1582:2020
1556:2022
1454:news
1294:2020
1165:and
1163:2001
1135:1999
1131:1995
1123:1991
1119:1987
1115:1984
1111:AAFC
1107:1937
1093:1996
1089:1986
1085:1983
1077:1989
1073:1975
1069:1974
1061:1953
1051:1978
1043:1965
1039:1952
1035:1942
1028:1995
1020:1974
1009:1963
1002:2000
994:1958
980:1982
954:1963
947:1998
939:1982
931:1956
920:1978
912:1963
899:vs.
891:vs.
882:2002
875:1959
858:vs.
850:vs.
842:vs.
833:2011
822:1978
814:1938
686:and
672:The
506:The
485:and
459:The
445:The
403:The
379:NCAA
257:and
219:and
217:USFL
167:and
114:punt
106:muff
2054:Gap
1895:AYF
1437:by
798:NFL
454:NFL
405:XFL
221:XFL
169:CFL
165:NFL
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