Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Rashard Higgins' goal-line fumble should have been targeting penalty

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 1/17/21

The Cleveland Browns on Sunday fell victim to what many feel is one of the worst rules in sports, and the play came at a horrible time.

Trailing the Kansas City Chiefs 16-3 with less than two minutes remaining, Cleveland put together a strong drive that looked like it was going to end with a touchdown. Instead, Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins fumbled while trying to dive for the goal line. The ball went out the side of the end zone, resulting in a turnover and a touchback for the Chiefs.

WOW. What a backbreaker… Rashard Higgins fumbles and the ball rolls out of the endzone for the touchback. #Browns #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/na1Ul26uR2

— Justin Groc (@jgroc) January 17, 2021

The fumble probably should not have stood, however. Replays appeared to show that Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen committed a personal foul by lowering his helmet to initiate contact with Higgins. CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said the officials should have called a penalty.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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