NFL clarifies catch rule

The NFL League Meetings are taking place in Orlando, Florida this week, and the big story is that the definition of a catch has been changed.

According to NFL.com, here is the new wording of the rule:

The new rules defining a catch include:

1. Control of the ball.

2. Two feet down or another body part.

3. A football move such as:

» A third step;

» Reaching/extending for the line-to-gain;

» Or the ability to perform such an act.

As the article from NFL.com points out, the new rules don’t remove all of the gray area surrounding what a catch is, but that catches such as Dez Bryant’s catch in Green Bay in the 2014 playoffs would now be ruled as complete rather than incomplete.

(I’m sure that makes Cowboys fans feel way, way better.)

So, we still may or may not know what a catch is, but now we may or may not know for a different set of reasons.

The owners approved this rule unanimously, 32-0.

I’m sure there will be more discussion of the new catch rule in the days and weeks to come. For now, however, the rule has officially been changed.