Walt Anderson confirms the NFL's third-foot obsession with completing the process of a catch

The NFL's interpretation of the catch rule remains a point of contention, particularly regarding the emphasis on a receiver taking a third step to complete a catch. During the Packers-Bears playoff game, league officiating spokesman Walt Anderson highlighted this focus in his assessment of two plays involving tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland. In both cases, Anderson prioritized the third step, despite the rule stating that a catch can be completed through other actions, such as tucking the ball and turning upfield.

According to the official rulebook, a catch is completed if a player secures control of the ball, touches the ground inbounds with both feet or another part of the body, and clearly performs any act common to the game, like taking an additional step or tucking the ball away. The rule does not mandate a third step as the sole requirement. Critics argue that the league's current application overly focuses on counting steps, which may not align with the rule's intended interpretation.

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