goal line pilon

Question
The pylon at the goal line in football is outside the field of play/out of bounds. Why is it a touchdown when a player dives and touches the pylon with the ball? Isn't this out of bounds?

Answer
David,

In 2007- the NFL Rules Committee made several changes to the game, and as it relates to the pylon question, and clearly then sets the stage that a player MUST get ANY part of the football to pass over or inside the goal line(see below). I think your assessment that the pylon is considered out of bounds may not be the same as the Rules Committee-sicne they state "the football to pass OVER or inside.... The word OVER to me shows that they beleive the pylon is in fact then inbounds.

The Competition Committee reviewed the definition of a score and how to call an airborne runner crossing over the
goal line pylon. In previous seasons, an airborne runner had to get any part of his body inside or over the goal line pylon
before he touched out of bounds to be awarded a score. This was not consistent with spotting the ball elsewhere. Now
an airborne runner must get any part of the football to pass over or inside the goal line pylon before he touches out of
bounds to be awarded a score. This will make the rule easier to understand and consistent everywhere along the sidelineylon here is the rule change.

Regards,

Marc Nolan