Marcus Mariota tucks is pursued by A.J. Johnson (Image Credit: Getty Images)
The Tuck Rule is one of those weird NFL rules everyone loves arguing about. It’s confusing, frustrating, and for one team, legendary. If anyone has ever watched a game and thought, “How is that not a fumble?” they’ve probably encountered the Tuck Rule.
So, what was it all about, and why did it stir up so much drama? Let’s dive in.
What Was The Tuck Rule?
The Tuck Rule wasn’t a standalone rule but a specific clarification within the NFL’s guidelines for determining a forward pass versus a fumble. Officially adopted in 1999, the rule’s language was as follows:
NFL Rule 3, Section 22, Article 2, Note 2: When [an offensive] player is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional forward movement of his arm starts a forward pass, even if the player loses possession of the ball as he is attempting to tuck it back toward his body. Also, if the player has tucked the ball into his body and then loses possession, it is a fumble.
In simple terms, if a quarterback’s arm began a forward motion but lost the ball while pulling it back to their body, the play was considered an incomplete pass rather than a fumble. If the ball was fully tucked and then dropped, it would count as a fumble.
The Rule’s Repeal
After years of controversy, the NFL’s competition committee voted overwhelmingly to repeal the Tuck Rule in 2013. The final vote was 29-1. Interestingly, the Pittsburgh Steelers voted against its repeal, while Washington and the New England Patriots abstained. The updated language in the rulebook now states:
Passer Tucks Ball: If the player loses possession of the ball during an attempt to bring it back toward his body, or if the player loses possession after he has tucked the ball into his body, it is a fumble.
This clarification effectively eliminated the grey area the Tuck Rule created.
The Controversy: The 2002 AFC Divisional Game
The Tuck Rule is most famously tied to one pivotal moment in NFL history. In the 2002 AFC Divisional Round, the New England Patriots faced the Oakland Raiders in snowy conditions at Foxboro Stadium. Late in the game, Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson appeared to strip-sack Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, with linebacker Greg Biekert recovering the fumble. It seemed like the Raiders had clinched the win.
However, upon review, officials invoked the Tuck Rule, ruling the play an incomplete pass instead of a fumble. This decision returned possession to the Patriots, who tied the game with Adam Vinatieri’s iconic field goal and eventually won in overtime. The Patriots went on to claim their first Super Bowl title, launching one of the most dominant dynasties in sports history.
For Raiders fans, this moment remains a bitter memory, symbolizing the unfairness of the rule. For Patriots fans, it’s a cherished piece of their team’s legend.
Other Instances Of The Tuck Rule
2001: Patriots vs. New York Jets
The rule favored the Jets in this instance, negating a potential Patriots fumble.
2005: Washington vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos benefitted from the Tuck Rule in a regular-season matchup.
2010: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Chiefs were the last team to benefit from the Tuck Rule before its eventual repeal. Following this game, then-Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira publicly stated he no longer supported the rule.
Legacy Of The Tuck Rule
The Tuck Rule’s repeal in 2013 marked the end of one of the NFL’s most controversial regulations. While its defenders argued it clarified a tricky aspect of officiating, critics pointed to its inconsistent application and the unfair outcomes it sometimes created. Today, the rule’s legacy lives on in debates about NFL officiating and, of course, in the folklore of the New England Patriots.
Whether you loved or hated it, the Tuck Rule undeniably shaped NFL history, reminding fans how even small rule changes can have massive impacts on the game.
