If you blink you'll miss it, but the NFL wants officials to keep a close eye on a trick -- an illegal one -- that’s appeared in some games.
Last month, NFL officials were shown a training video that warned them to watch for field goal holders putting the ball on a foreign object, according to a report from FootballZebras.
There have been multiple times this season where after a kick was taken, the holder quickly scoops up something that was on the ground. The FootballZebras report gives examples of the Eagles, Lions, and Commanders employing the use of a small, white, foreign object this season.
There also is a 2020 video showing the Chiefs doing the same thing. Although that video is a few years old, Tommy Townsend and Harrison Butker, the holder and kicker, respectively, remain in those roles for Kansas City to date.
It’s not fully clear what the object is. Regardless, it technically is a rules violation, subject to an unsportsmanlike conduct call. The rule states “no article of any type may be placed on the field, or used in any manner, to assist a player in the execution of a field goal and/or (extra-point) Try attempt.”
It’s a small enough detail that it’s fair to wonder how many other teams have tried such a strategy. In any event, it seems likely to be flagged going forward after emphasis was placed on spotting such a move.