Today's Tidbit... 1876 IFA Rule #52: TD Interference

This is #52 in a series covering football's original 61 rules adopted by the Intercollegiate Football Association in 1876. We review one rule each Friday.

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Rule 47 outlined the process used to execute the try at goal following a touchdown. As a reminder, it told us the spot where the ball was touched down in goal determined where it could be walked out from the goal line. The intent of Rule 52 was to ensure it would be a straightforward process to walk the ball out from the appropriate spot.

Rule 52: When the ball has been touched down in the opponents’ goal, none of the side in whose goal it has so been touched down shall touch it or in any way displace it or interfere with the player of the other side who may be taking it up or not.