Can a punt returner fair catch off the hop?

[CDAGRIZ]

I saw this during the Griz game yesterday. I don't know the rule, but it would seem that once the ball hits the ground, the fair catch is a gone concept. If that isn't the case, I suppose one could call a fair catch as the ball is rolling toward the goal line with the punt team ready to down it at the 1. Does anyone know the rule?

 

[i do love the griz]

I wondered that as well, but saw someone in another game do it yesterday. It's weird but it seems like you can do it.

 

[OleGriz]

From what I understand, the fair catch protection of the returner actually does end when the ball hits the ground, but the returner has still given up the right to advance the ball. I think that the Grizzlies could have tackled the CWU punt returner or tried to strip the ball as he caught it without penalty, but since he couldn't advance the ball, the play was blown dead once he had the ball and the Griz coverage team had stopped.

 

[PlayerRep]

No fair catch after ball has hit the ground, to my knowledge. Once a fair catch signal has been made, I don't believe the ball can be advanced whether caught in the air or caught off the bounce.

 

[Potomac Griz]

From the 2013-2014 rulebook:

SECTION 5. Fair Catch
Dead Where Caught
ARTICLE 1.

a. When a Team B player makes a fair catch, the ball becomes
dead where caught and belongs to Team B at that spot.

b.When a Team B player makes a valid fair catch signal, the unimpeded
opportunity to catch a free or scrimmage kick continues if this player muffs
the kick and still has an opportunity to complete the catch. This protection
terminates when the kick touches the ground. If the player subsequently
catches the kick, the ball is placed where he first touched it (A.R. 6-5-1-I-II).

 

[AllWeatherFan]

So can you drill him or not?

 

[dupuyer griz]

According to the rules you can smear him, but I wouldn't count on the refs calling it your way. Especially the BS refs. I have been a little flustered as to the difference in how things have been called game to game so far this year. Not just in our games but all around. I also wonder if they would say not to hit him because putting his arm up for the fc would count as giving himself up and the play is done.