More players admit not knowing rule / LJWorld.com

Archive for Friday, November 21, 2008

The Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio)

November 21, 2008

Berea, Ohio — Count Cleveland Browns receiver Braylon Edwards and linebacker Willie McGinest among the growing number of players admitting they didn’t know an NFL game could end in a tie.

Edwards and McGinest supported the confession by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb after Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals finished 13-13.

It was the first tie in the league since the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons played to a 34-34 tie on Nov. 10, 2002, and the fifth in the past 20 years.

Asked if most players knew the rule, Edwards said, “No, because I didn’t. I’ll be honest.”

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger estimated that 50 percent of the league’s players probably did not know a tie was possible until Sunday.

“I would say it’s even more than that,” Edwards said. “I would venture to say 75 to 80 percent don’t know that. You can start quizzing the locker room and if guys were being honest, 80 percent of the guys didn’t and I’ll start. That game taught me something.”

McGinest, a 15-year veteran, confessed he didn’t know and added, “Some of those guys on the other side of that 50 percent are lying.”

He didn’t understand why the rules would be altered for the playoffs and Super Bowl.

“What’s the difference? A game is a game,” McGinest said. “How do you determine a winner? How does that go on their record? If you’re playing for a playoff spot, what’s the tiebreaker for those two teams playing each other? Who gets the win?”