What formations are illegal in the NFL?
Asked by: Newton Robel | Last update: February 19, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)
Illegal formations in the NFL primarily involve not having seven players on the line of scrimmage, failing to have eligible receivers on both ends of the line, or having an ineligible player uncovered on the line, often resulting from players lining up too deep (like tackles or tight ends) or having multiple players in motion at the snap, leading to a 5-yard penalty for illegal formation or motion.
What is rule 17 in the NFL?
Under Rule 17 of the NFL rulebook, the commissioner also has the authority to overturn a game result (that is, order a forfeit loss to the offending team and a walkover win for the wronged team), order the game to be fully replayed, or to discard the results of the game from the unfair act onward and resume play from ...
How many illegal formation calls are in the NFL in 2025?
2025 Stats
There was an average of 3.5 Illegal Formation penalties per team league wide.
Did Travis Kelce get fined for dunking?
Yes, Travis Kelce was fined by the NFL for dunking the football over the crossbar in a tribute to Tony Gonzalez after scoring a touchdown on Christmas Day 2024, receiving a penalty and a fine of over $14,000 for the unsportsmanlike conduct celebration. The NFL banned goalpost dunks in 2013 after Jimmy Graham's dunk caused a delay, but Gonzalez encouraged Kelce to do it, even offering to pay the fine, which Kelce initially declined.
What is the rarest rule in the NFL?
Some of the weirdest NFL rules involve the "Fair Catch Kick" (a potential 3-point field goal attempt after a fair catch), the "Holy Roller Rule" (restricting who can recover a late-game fumble), strict enforcement of player attire (no bandanas, specific sock lengths), and the ability for the league to step in for "unfair acts" via Rule 17, allowing commissioner intervention for egregious offenses, though rarely used.
What's an Illegal Formation?
Can you have 8 guys on the line of scrimmage?
Yes, in standard 11-player American football, you must have at least seven players on the line of scrimmage, but you can have more, like eight (or even up to ten), as long as the two outermost players on the line are eligible receivers and everyone else between them is an ineligible lineman. While common in special teams (punt/field goal), having eight or more on the line is rare in regular plays because it limits eligible receivers, often making it a strategic disadvantage, but it's not an automatic penalty for simply having the extra player there.
Has the NFL announced a $500,000 fine?
The NFL announced a $500,000 fine and indefinite suspension for Houston Texans minority owner Javier Loya in December 2025 for violating the league's personal conduct policy after an investigation into sexual abuse allegations; earlier in 2025, the New York Giants organization incurred nearly that total in various fines for player/coach conduct, and the league also fined the Saints $500k in 2020 for COVID-19 protocol breaches.
What is a nasty formation in football?
The Nasty formation puts the outside receivers in with their alignment 3 yards from the Tackle and the Slot just outside of the tackle. The response to this formation is almost universal, the defense will move the Cornerback to the line to play outside leverage and keep the Safeties over the top.
What is an NFL Waterboy's salary?
NFL waterboys (often part of the equipment/athletic training staff) can earn around $53,000 annually, sometimes more, but the role is generally entry-level with responsibilities beyond just water, including sideline setup, locker room prep, and travel, with perks like potential for advancement and exposure to the sport. Pay varies by team and experience, and it's seen as an apprenticeship for aspiring athletic trainers, often starting at lower pay for significant experience.
What is the rarest penalty in the NFL?
The rarest NFL penalty is the Palpably Unfair Act, allowing referees to award a touchdown for egregious interference, though it has never been called in the NFL, with the threat of it occurring in recent games. Other extremely rare calls include the Invalid Fair Catch Signal (a returner signals fair catch after the ball hits the ground) and the obscure Fair Catch Kick, requiring unique circumstances for use.
What is the Dempsey rule in the NFL?
There was some controversy about the legality of Dempsey's custom shoe, and in 1977 the NFL added the "Tom Dempsey Rule," stating "any shoe that is worn by a player with an artificial limb on his kicking leg must have a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe." Dempsey played 11 years in the NFL ...
How many yards is an illegal formation?
Penalty: For illegal formation by the offense: Loss of five yards.
Do NFL teams still use the I formation?
In professional football
The I formation is less frequently used in the NFL than in college, as the use of the fullback as a blocker has given way to formations with additional tight ends and wide receivers, who may be called on to block during running plays.
Can fans keep NFL footballs?
Yes, you can generally keep an NFL football that goes into the stands, but it's a bit of a gray area; while there's no official NFL rule forcing you to return it, players often retrieve game balls (with embedded tracking chips) for data, so you might get a souvenir ball instead, and stadiums might ask for it back, especially if it's a key game ball.
Did Kelce get fined for dunking?
Travis Kelce fined for dunking ball over goal post in homage to Tony Gonzalez - Yahoo Sports.
How much is Tom Brady's NFL pension?
Tom Brady's NFL pension, while substantial due to his long career, is capped by league rules, likely around $10,000 per month ($120,000 annually) starting at age 55, as the system generally pays about $1,000 per season for up to 10 seasons, but even with 23 seasons, he hits the maximum. While this pension provides a strong base, Brady's immense wealth from contracts and endorsements far exceeds his NFL pension, with career earnings estimated at $550 million.
Why do QBs say blue 42?
Quarterbacks say "Blue 42" (or similar color/number combos like "Green 19") as a pre-snap audible to potentially change the play at the line of scrimmage, signal to receivers which routes to run, or just as a standard cadence to set the rhythm and try to draw the defense offsides, with the color often indicating if it's a real change (like 'blue') or a dummy call (like 'white'), says The New York Times and Oreate AI. It's a mix of signaling, deception, and tradition, often using numbers to identify routes or gaps, according to Reddit users and Quora users.
Are O lineman or D lineman bigger?
Offensive linemen are generally bigger (heavier and bulkier) than defensive linemen because their primary role is to create space and protect, requiring mass, while defensive linemen, especially ends, need more agility and speed to rush, though interior defensive tackles are also very large to clog the middle. Both positions have grown significantly over the years, but offensive linemen often hold the title for largest average size due to rule changes favoring size and strength in blocking, notes this Reddit post.
Is number 69 allowed in football?
Yes, you can have the number 69 in football, especially in the NFL, as rules expanded to allow numbers 0-99 for most positions, though traditionally it's worn by offensive or defensive linemen (like guards, tackles, or defensive tackles) due to older rules, with famous examples like Jared Allen and recent players like Cory Durden wearing it.
Has a QB ever wore 0?
0. Marcus Mariota (2015-Present) Leading into the 2025 season, Marcus Mariota is the only quarterback to wear No. 0 in an NFL game.
What is statistically the worst NFL team ever?
Statistically, the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers are often cited as the worst NFL team ever, going 0-14 in their inaugural season, scoring the fewest points (125) and touchdowns (14), and suffering five shutouts with an average loss margin of 20 points. Other contenders include the 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16) and the 1981 Baltimore Colts (2-14) for sheer futility in scoring and defense, though the Bucs' 0-14 record in a modern-era season sets a low bar.