The snowy touchdown celebration that might have cost the 49ers a touchdown
We had a feeling the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears might have trouble scoring points Sunday. And the snow that fell before and during the first half of the game certainly played a part in that.
Just not exactly the part we imagined.
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After a scoreless first quarter, 49ers punt returner Dontae Johnson appeared to run one back for a score to end the scoreless tie. Johnson then capped off the would-be TD with a snow-angel celebration that earned him a flag.
The only problem? Johnson stepped out of bounds at the 4-yard line. So not only was it no touchdown, but now the ball was at the 19-yard line. Three plays and 6 yards gained later, the 49ers were forced to settle for a field goal.
Would they have scored a touchdown from the 4? Impossible to say. But with the weather conditions, it certainly would have made it easier.
There was an interesting parallel. A few real-time moments prior to the Johnson punt return — and about 200 miles to the north — Randall Cobb scored a touchdown and also did a snow angel. However, the referees there did not rule it a penalty. NFL rules prohibit players from going to the ground to celebrate, but no flag came out.
Maybe NFL referees need to brush up on their celebration rules — especially with it being snow angel season.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!