Texas Tech’s DeAndre Washington pulls a Danny Trevathan, drops football before crossing the goal line (Video)

Why is it so hard for football players to carry the ball across the goal line when they're sprinting for a touchdown?

Just a week after Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan dropped the ball before potentially scoring a touchdown after he intercepted the Ravens' Joe Flacco, Texas Tech's DeAndre Washington did the same thing against TCU.

With the game tied at 10-10 in the fourth quarter, Washington caught a deflected swing pass from Davis Webb and went sprinting down the sidelines for what looked like would be a 49-yard touchdown. However, he dropped the ball just before he crossed the goal line.

It was originally called a touchdown on the field, so the ball, which had stayed in the end zone, gently rolled to a stop and the officials picked it up. No Texas Tech or TCU player made a move to grab it. And subsequently, Texas Tech got a 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration that would be assessed on the kickoff.

After the play was reviewed, it was clear from the multiple replays shown that the ball was out of Washington's hand before he crossed the goal line. Since no one recovered the football after it was blown dead on the field because of the touchdown call, by rule, Tech got the ball at the half-yard line upon the reversal of the score.

But the 15-yard penalty still stood, so Texas Tech was forced to start near the 16 yardline. On third down, Webb found Bradley Marquez for a 19 yard score and the eventual go-ahead TD. Texas Tech won the game 20-10.

The important takeaway from all of this, outside of considering rescinding celebration penalties for scores that are deemed not to have occurred? Hold on to the damn football, people. It's not that hard, is it?

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