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Safety (gridiron football score)
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Safety (gridiron football score)
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Buffalo Bills quarterback J. P. Losman is tackled by New England Patriots defensive lineman Ty Warren. Because Losman was tackled behind his own goal line, this play resulted in a safety for New England.

In gridiron football, the safety (American football) or safety touch (Canadian football) is a scoring play that results in two points being awarded to the scoring team. Safeties can be scored in a number of ways, such as when a ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone or when a foul is committed by the offense in its own end zone. After a safety is scored in American football, the ball is kicked off to the team that scored the safety from the 20-yard line; in Canadian football, the scoring team also has the options of taking control of the ball at its own 35-yard line or kicking off the ball, also at its own 35-yard line. The ability of the scoring team to receive the ball through a kickoff differs from the touchdown and field goal, which require the scoring team to kick the ball off to the scored-upon team.[1] Despite being of relatively low point value, safeties can have a significant impact on the result of games,[2] and Brian Burke of Advanced NFL Stats estimated that safeties have a greater abstract value than field goals, despite being worth a point less, due to the field position and reclaimed possession gained off the safety kick.[1]

Safeties are the least common method of scoring in American football[3] but are not rare occurrences[2]—a safety has occurred around once every 14 games in the history of the National Football League (NFL), or about once a week under current scheduling rules.[2] A much rarer occurrence is the one-point (or conversion) safety, which can be scored by the offense on an extra point or two-point conversion attempt: these have occurred at least twice in NCAA Division I football since 1996, most recently at the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, though no conversion safeties have occurred since 1940 in the NFL. A conversion safety by the defense is also possible, though highly unlikely. Although this has never occurred, it is the only possible way a team could finish with a single point in an American football game.[A]

Scoring a safety

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American football

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In American football, a safety is scored when any of the following conditions occur:[4][5][6]

  • The ball carrier is tackled or forced out of bounds in his own end zone.
  • The ball becomes dead in the end zone, with the exception of an incomplete forward pass, and the defending team is responsible for it being there.
  • The offense commits a foul in its own end zone.

Canadian football

[edit]

In Canadian football, a safety touch is scored when any of the following conditions occur:[7]

  • The ball becomes dead in the goal area of the team in possession of the ball
  • The ball touches or crosses the dead line or a sideline in goal after having been directed from the field of play into the Goal Area by the team scored against or as the direct result of a blocked scrimmage kick.
  • The ball carrier is penalized for intentional grounding or an offside pass in his own goal area.

Resuming play after a safety

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American football

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After a safety is scored, the ball is put into play by a free kick. The team that was scored upon must kick the ball from its own 20-yard line and can punt, drop kick, or place kick the ball. Prior to 2024, a tee could not be used in the NFL; a tee has always been legal in high school or college football. Once the ball has been kicked, it can be caught and advanced by any member of the receiving team, and it can be recovered by the kicking team if the ball travels at least 10 yards or a player of the receiving team touches the ball.[8][9]

Canadian football

[edit]

After scoring a safety touch, the scoring team has the option of taking control of the ball and beginning play from its own 35-yard line, kicking the ball off from its 35-yard line, or accepting a kickoff from the team that conceded the score.[10] When the scored-against team kicks off, it comes from the 35-yard line under amateur rules and from the 25-yard line under CFL rules. If a kickoff is chosen it must be a place kick, and the ball can be held, placed on the ground, or placed on a tee prior to the kick. As in American football, the ball must go at least ten yards before it can be recovered by the kicking team.[11]

Elective safeties

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In American football, intentionally conceded safeties are an uncommon strategy. Teams have utilized elective safeties to gain field position for a punt when pinned deep in their own territory[12][13] and, when ahead near the end of a game, to run down the clock so as to deny the other team a chance to force a turnover or return a punt.[14][15][16][17] Teams have also taken intentional safeties by kicking a loose ball out the back of their end zone (which is an illegal kick), with the intent of preventing the defense from scoring a touchdown.[18][19]

In the NFL, starting with the 2023 season, a defense can decline a safety in favor of accepting a penalty committed in the end zone by the offense.[20] An example where a defense may choose to do this could be an illegal kick committed in the end zone by the offense (such as may occur following a bad snap on an attempted punt) on fourth down; rather than allowing the play to result in a safety, the defense could accept the penalty, which for an illegal kick is 10 yards (or no more than half the distance to the goal line) from the prior spot of the ball and a loss of down.[20] With the infraction committed on fourth down, this would result in a change of possession, with the team that was on defense now having possession of the ball close to their opponent's goal line.[20]

Elective safeties are more common in Canadian football, where they can result in better field position than a punt. The 2010 Edmonton Eskimos surrendered a Canadian Football League (CFL)-record 14 safeties, a factor that led CFL reporter Jim Mullin to suggest increasing the value of the safety touch from two to three points as a deterrent.[21]

Conversion safeties (one-point safeties)

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Scored by the offense

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In American football, if a team attempting an extra point or two-point conversion (officially known in the rulebooks as a try) scores what would normally be a safety, that attempting team is awarded one point.[22][23][24] This is commonly known as a conversion safety or one-point safety.[24][25] The first known occurrence of the conversion safety was in an NCAA University Division (now NCAA FBS) game on October 2, 1971, scored by Syracuse in a game at Indiana. On a failed extra point attempt, an Indiana player illegally batted the ball in the end zone (a spot foul defensive penalty).[26][27][28] There are two other known occurrences of the conversion safety in Division I FBS college football – a November 26, 2004, game in which Texas scored against Texas A&M, and the 2013 Fiesta Bowl in which Oregon scored against Kansas State.[29] In both games, the extra point attempt was blocked and recovered by the defense, which then fumbled or threw the ball back into its own end zone.[30] A conversion safety has occurred once in Division I-AA (now NCAA FCS) where Nevada scored a conversion safety against North Texas on September 21, 1991[31] and twice in Division II: once by Morningside College on November 9, 1996, against Northern Colorado,[32] and once by Emory and Henry College on October 8, 2022, against University of Virginia's College at Wise.[33] There are also at least four known NCAA Division III occurrences, the first being on October 20, 1990, scored by DePauw University against Anderson University;[34] the second on October 23, 1993, scored by Salisbury State against Wesley College;[35] the third on November 11, 2000, scored by Hamline University against St. Thomas-Minnesota,[36] and the most recent scored by Bluffton University against Franklin College (Indiana) on November 9, 2013.[37][38][39] One-point safeties have also occurred in an NAIA game and two junior college games.[40][41][42]

No conversion safeties have been scored in the NFL since 1940, although it is now slightly more likely after a rule change in 2015 allowed the defense to take possession and score on a conversion attempt which, like college football, awards the defense two points for returning a blocked PAT attempt, or intercepting, or returning a fumble on a 2-point conversion.

Before 2015, the only scenario in which a one-point safety could have been scored in the NFL would have involved, on a conversion attempt in which the ball was not kicked by the offense, the defense then kicking or batting a loose ball out of its own end zone without taking possession of the ball, giving the offense a one-point safety.[43][44][45][46]

Scored by the defense

[edit]

A conversion safety can also be scored by the defense.[23][22] This scoring play has never occurred; to accomplish this, the team attempting the try must somehow be forced back to its own end zone. A possible scenario in the NFL and NCAA would involve a turnover while attempting a conversion, followed by the defending team's ball-carrier fumbling while en route to the attempting team's end zone, with the attempting team then recovering the ball and, after establishing possession outside the end zone, downing it in its own end zone (this scenario is not possible in high school football, as a turnover ends the conversion attempt; such a conversion safety could occur only if the offense maintains possession). While such a conversion safety has never been scored by the defense, it is the only possible way under current rules in which a team could finish with a single point in an American football game.[A][47]

See also

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Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Safety (gridiron football score)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
In , a safety is a two-point score awarded to the defending when the ball carrier is tackled, forced , or otherwise causes the ball to become dead in their own , or when the offense commits a foul such as or an illegal that results in the ball being dead there. In , following a safety, the scoring receives a from the opponent's 20-yard line to resume play; in , it is from the 35-yard line. This rare play, occurring approximately once every 14 games in the since systematic record-keeping began in 1932, often arises from defensive pressure near the goal line, blocked kicks, or fumbles. Safeties have been part of since the sport's early days, with the first recorded NFL safety occurring on October 10, 1920, when the scored against the Columbus Panhandles. From 1920 to 2003, professional football saw 881 safeties (853 in the and 28 in ), averaging about one every 13.6 games, though frequency has varied by era—peaking in at one every six games and dipping to one every 35 games in —due to evolving strategies and rule changes like the 1978 prohibition on as a safety precursor. Despite their low scoring value compared to touchdowns (six points) or field goals (three points), safeties can decisively swing games, as seen in the 1945 NFL where a safety from Sammy Baugh's pass striking the goal post helped the defeat 15-14, or in when the Steelers' safety contributed to their 16-6 victory over the . Notable tactical uses include intentional safeties, employed 42 times from 1920 to to gain field position advantages, succeeding in 81% of cases by allowing a from the 20-yard line rather than risking a punt from deep in their territory; a modern example is the Patriots' deliberate safety in against the Broncos to secure a win. Records highlight their scarcity: the most safeties in a single season league-wide is 26 (1988), while individual feats include Fred Dryer's two safeties in one 1973 game and career leaders like and with four each. By 2025, over 1,200 safeties have been recorded in regular and postseason history, underscoring their enduring, if infrequent, role in the game's scoring dynamics.

Fundamentals

Definition

In , a safety—also known as a safety touch in —is a scoring play that awards two points to the defensive team when the ball becomes dead in or behind the offensive team's own due to the offense's impetus or a foul committed there, typically as a result of the offense's actions that propel the ball there. This occurs as a direct result of the offense's impetus, such as carrying, kicking, passing, or fumbling the ball into the end zone, where it is downed or goes , or when the offense commits a foul such as in or behind the goal line. Common scenarios include a ball carrier being tackled by the defense in the offensive team's after advancing backward, an incomplete that lands in the (in ), or the recovery of a in the by the offense. Additionally, a blocked kick from scrimmage that is recovered or downed in the kicking team's can result in a , emphasizing the defensive team's control over the play. Unlike a , which awards six points for advancing the ball into the opponent's , or a worth three points via a successful , a underscores the defense's success in pinning the offense in a scoring territory without allowing forward progress, often turning a potential scoring opportunity against the offense.

Point Value

In gridiron football, a safety is awarded 2 points to the defensive team in both American and Canadian variants of the game. This scoring value applies uniformly regardless of the specific circumstances leading to the safety, such as a ball carrier being downed in their own or an offensive foul committed behind the goal line. Following a safety, possession effectively changes hands to the scoring team without any conversion attempt, distinguishing it from a touchdown where additional points can be pursued via kick or run. In American football, the team that conceded the restarts play with a from its own 20-yard line, allowing the scoring team to receive the ball in advantageous field position. In , the scoring team is given options for resumption, including scrimmaging from its own 35-yard line or receiving a kickoff from the opponent's 20-yard line, further enhancing the positional benefit. Unlike post- scenarios, no extra-point or follows a in either code.

Scoring Conditions

American Football

In , a safety is awarded two points to the defense when the offense causes the ball to become dead in or behind their own goal line under specific conditions, primarily governed by Rule 11 of the rulebook. The primary ways a safety occurs include: Exceptions prevent a safety in cases like an incomplete touching the end zone (no impetus) or a defensive player's carrying the ball into the end zone after an interception (). As of the 2025 NFL season, no major changes to these core conditions have been implemented, though ongoing emphasis on player influences foul interpretations. In (NCAA), the rules align closely but include nuances, such as blocking rules near the end zone that can lead to safeties. High school variations (NFHS) follow similar principles.

Canadian Football

In Canadian football, a safety touch awards two points to the defending team when the ball becomes dead in the offending team's goal area due to their own actions, as defined in the CFL Official Playing Rules and guidelines. Key conditions include:
  • The ball is carried, fumbled, passed, or kicked into the goal area by the offending team and becomes dead there (e.g., ball carrier tackled in goal area or ball goes in goal area).
  • A foul committed by the offense in their own goal area, such as holding or illegal procedure, enforced as a safety touch.
  • Blocked kicks or deflected plays where the offending team's impetus sends the ball dead in their goal area.
This differs from the rouge (single point for kicks into the end zone), as a touch requires the ball to be dead due to offensive impetus. No changes to these conditions were made for the 2025 CFL or seasons, though related scoring adjustments (e.g., to rouge rules) were introduced for 2026. Amateur rules under mirror CFL but emphasize youth in foul enforcement.

Resuming Play

American Football

In , following a , the team that conceded the is required to restart play by executing a from its own 20-yard line. This provides the scoring team with a significant field position advantage, as it allows them to receive the ball typically from around midfield or deeper in the opponent's territory, depending on the kick's outcome, thereby shifting possession and momentum in their favor after the defensive score. The kicking team has flexibility in how to perform the free kick, with options including a punt, drop kick, or place kick. Under the NFL's dynamic kickoff rules adopted in 2024 and made permanent thereafter, an artificial or manufactured tee up to one inch in height may optionally be used for the place kick, aligning safety kicks more closely with standard kickoff procedures to encourage returns while maintaining the setup and landing zones from the 20-yard line. Prior to this change, tees were not permitted for safety free kicks in the NFL, though they have long been allowed in college and high school levels. The receiving team, which is the one that just scored the safety, may advance the ball after catching or recovering it, similar to a kickoff return, or opt for a to take possession at the spot of the catch without risk of interference. If the ball touches the ground before being possessed by the receiving team or goes , they gain possession at that spot, further emphasizing the potential for advantageous starting field position. This mechanism underscores the safety's role in not only awarding two points but also immediately benefiting the defense through improved territorial control.

Canadian Football

In Canadian football, play resumes after a safety touch through options that provide the scoring team with strategic choices for field position, differing from the free kick used in . A safety touch occurs when the ball becomes dead in a team's own goal area due to their own impetus, such as carrying or fumbling it in, awarding two points to the opponent. Under amateur rules governed by , the scoring team may elect to scrimmage the ball from its own 35-yard line, kick off from its own 35-yard line, or require the conceding team to kick off from their own 35-yard line. These midfield options allow the scoring team to regain possession or force a return without the equivalent of a short free kick, emphasizing balanced recovery potential after the penalty. In the Canadian Football League (CFL), offer enhanced variability for excitement: the scoring team can choose to scrimmage from its own 40-yard line, kick off from its own 30-yard line, or accept a kickoff from the conceding team's 20-yard line. This setup, which provides slightly more advantageous positions than the amateur standard, alters field dynamics by enabling direct offensive starts deeper in opponent territory or shorter kick returns, without a dedicated mechanism. The intent behind these resumption rules in both amateur and professional is to mitigate the 's punitive effect—losing two points and yielding possession—by granting the scoring proactive opportunities to advance or defend from midfield or better, promoting competitive flow and .

Special Types

Elective Safeties

An elective , also known as an intentional , is a strategic decision by a to deliberately concede two points to the opposing side in order to achieve a greater advantage, such as improved field position, in the final two minutes of a half, or avoidance of a potential turnover that could lead to a . This tactic is particularly useful when a is deep in its own territory and facing a high-risk situation, as the conceding puts the ball in play by a from their own 20-yard line after the . One common method involves the offensive line snapping the ball directly out of the end zone or the punter holding the ball until tackled there, effectively ending the play while preserving time on the clock. For instance, in a 2016 game against the , the intentionally committed holding penalties to run out the clock before punter carried the snap into the end zone for a , securing a 19-14 victory with seconds remaining. Such plays are seen in both professional and , often to stop the clock or prevent desperate opponent advances late in games. In 2023, the introduced a rule change allowing defenses to decline certain offensive penalties committed in the end zone—such as illegal batting or kicking of a loose ball on fourth down—that would otherwise result in a , opting instead to enforce the penalty from the previous spot and retain possession without the two-point award. This adjustment specifically excludes but enables defenses to counter potential elective attempts by nullifying the score in select scenarios, like a fourth-down mishandled snap. However, if the is purely intentional without an accompanying declineable penalty, the offense cannot reject it, and the two points are awarded. In , elective safeties are possible under similar strategic circumstances, allowing the conceding team a from their own 20-yard line, though they are infrequently used compared to .

Conversion Safeties

A conversion safety, also known as a one-point safety, occurs when a is committed during a try (either an extra-point kick or two-point conversion attempt) following a , awarding one point to the opposing team. Under rules, if the try results in what would ordinarily be a against either team, one point is awarded to the opponent (Rule 11, Section 3, Article 2(c)). The try is an untimed down that ends immediately upon the , with no further play allowed. NCAA rules similarly provide for one point via on a try (Rule 8-3-1), where the ball becoming dead in the end zone under the responsible team's control awards the point to the opponent. The more common variant involves a safety against the team attempting the conversion (typically the offense), such as when the defense tackles the holder, snapper, or a blocker in the . This awards one point to the defense. In the , such plays are exceedingly rare and have never been recorded. In NCAA football, a prominent example took place during the , when received a one-point after Kansas State blocked an extra-point attempt and a defender retreated into their own with the loose ball before it was downed. A defensive conversion safety, where the offense scores one point by forcing the defense into a safety during the try (e.g., via a turnover recovered by the defense but downed in their end zone), is theoretically possible under the same rules but has never been recorded in major professional or college leagues. This scenario requires the defense to gain possession during the try and then commit a safety, a sequence that has eluded occurrence despite the rules allowing for it since at least the mid-20th century. In , a safety during a convert attempt similarly awards one point to the opponent, aligning with American rules.

History

Origins

The safety scoring play in originated from the sport's rugby influences during the 1870s, when early American games permitted a team to ground the ball in its own —a maneuver termed a "safety touchdown"—to avert immediate danger without penalty. This provision, absent the rugby "rouge" point, allowed the defending team to restart from the 25-yard line, aiming to discourage risky plays near the goal but frequently resulting in deliberate stalling tactics. Walter Camp's contributions to the 1880 rules, as part of his broader efforts to standardize the game, formalized the concept without assigning points initially, building on rugby precedents to promote controlled play. The first recorded instance occurred in the November 29, 1880, Princeton-Harvard contest, where Princeton secured five safety touchdowns to Harvard's two, highlighting the rule's role in managing end-zone threats and preventing prolonged defensive holds. By 1883, Camp's point-based system for the Intercollegiate Football Association assigned 2 points to the —up from zero—to penalize stalling and integrate it into overall scoring (alongside 4 for a and 5 for a ), a value that solidified after minor early adjustments. The terminology evolved from "safety touchdown" or "safe" to "safety" by the early , reflecting its distinct identity as a defensive score. Canadian football adopted the safety in the early 1900s through the 1903 Burnside rules, implemented by the to harmonize with American conventions while adapting to the wider, longer field for 12-player sides.

Rule Changes

Further refinements in the NFL addressed specific scenarios involving penalties. More recently, in 2023, the NFL introduced an option for defenses to decline certain penalties that would otherwise result in a safety, particularly on fourth down, allowing teams to retain possession instead of accepting the two points if it benefits their strategic position. No major alterations to safety scoring or enforcement have occurred since 2023 as of 2025. These modifications collectively sought to enhance excitement by encouraging aggressive play while ensuring equitable outcomes in end-zone situations. In , adjustments to safety rules in the 1920s focused on the goal area to accommodate the larger field dimensions, including refinements to end-zone boundaries that standardized the 25-yard depth and clarified how interacted with the emerging single-point rouge system for kicks into the end zone. During the , the CFL tweaked post-safety procedures, notably in when kickoffs following a safety were moved back from the 35-yard line to the 25-yard line, incentivizing teams to attempt returns rather than conservative punts and thereby increasing scoring potential. These evolutions, like their American counterparts, prioritized fairness and game flow in end-zone plays without altering the two-point value of a .

Impact and Strategy

Frequency and Rarity

Safeties represent one of the rarest scoring plays in professional and collegiate , underscoring their scarcity across major leagues. In the (NFL), a safety occurs approximately once every 14 games on average, based on historical data from 1932 onward. In the 2023 NFL regular season, only 12 safeties were recorded league-wide across 272 games, highlighting their infrequent nature even in a full season. In collegiate football under the (NCAA), safeties occur more frequently than in the , largely attributable to the wider field dimensions that increase the risk of defensive positioning errors near the end zone. This elevated frequency compared to the reflects the broader 53.3-yard field width in college play, which demands greater coverage and can lead to more mishandled snaps or tackles in tight spaces. The Canadian Football League (CFL) sees safeties—known as safety touches—influenced by the league's even larger 59.4-yard field width and 110-yard length, which amplify end-zone vulnerabilities. Overall trends indicate a decline in safety occurrences since the , coinciding with advancements in offensive line techniques and protection schemes that minimize quarterback pressures and penalties in the end zone. One-point conversion safeties, a subset possible only during post-touchdown tries, remain extraordinarily rare, with fewer than 10 documented instances across major leagues since 1996, and none ever recorded in history due to rule mechanics preventing defensive returns for points during conversions. In the 2024 , 15 safeties were recorded across 272 games, continuing the trend of low frequency.

Tactical Significance

A safety in extends beyond its nominal two-point value by immediately awarding the defending team possession through a from the 20-yard line, often resulting in an average drive start for the opponent at their own 36-yard line—an approximately 80-yard field position swing from deep in the end zone. This combination equates to roughly 4.1 expected points added, surpassing the typical value of an average possession (around 2.1 points) and creating a significant shift that can alter the psychological and strategic flow of the game. On average, such plays increase the scoring team's win probability by 7.1 percentage points, emphasizing their role in turning defensive stands into offensive opportunities. Strategically, safeties are leveraged in close contests for , where teams may opt for an elective safety to exhaust the final seconds without exposing themselves to a potential return . A prime example occurred in when the , leading by three points late against the , instructed punter to intentionally ground the ball in the end zone, securing the victory by . The resulting further pins the opponent deep, compelling defenses to prioritize preventing end-zone stalls and forcing offenses into high-risk situations near their goal line to avoid the dual penalty of points and poor field position. Notable instances highlight safeties' game-altering potential, such as in the 2022 NCAA season when Iowa's defense produced two safeties en route to a 7-3 defensive masterclass win over South Dakota State, underscoring their contribution to low-scoring upsets through relentless pressure. In the , the rarity amplifies their effect, as seen in strategic deployments that preserve leads in tight matchups. Compared to s, safeties are markedly rarer—only 14 occurred across the versus 286 s league-wide—yet deliver higher per-event impact through guaranteed scoring and immediate possession turnover, often outpacing the average 3-4 expected points from an depending on return yardage. This scarcity enhances their tactical weight, making defenses that force them exceptionally disruptive.

References

  1. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/sports/football/theyre-only-2-points-but-safeties-can-be-game-changers.html
  3. https://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-05-1044.pdf
  4. https://www.quirkyresearch.com/football-lists/every-safety-ever/
  5. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/safety/
  6. https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025_Rule-Book.pdf
  7. https://cfldb.ca/glossary/on-field/
  8. https://www.gridironnewbrunswick.org/ftblintro.html
  9. https://cfldb.ca/rulebook/scoring/definitions/
  10. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/#rule11
  11. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/#article-2-foul-behind-a-goal-line
  12. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/rules-changes/2025-rules-changes/
  13. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2013/11/19/football-rules.aspx
  14. https://footballcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-Tackle-Rulebook-English.pdf
  15. https://www.cfl.ca/game-changes-faq/
  16. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/rules-changes/dynamic-kickoff-rule-explainer/
  17. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/#article-1-free-kick
  18. https://footballcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024-Tackle-Rulebook-English-Web.pdf
  19. https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/intentional-safety-was-even-better-than-super-bowl-trick-in-execution-18160834
  20. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18150553/baltimore-ravens-run-clock-intentionally-committing-holding-penalties-cincinnati-bengals
  21. https://www.footballzebras.com/2023/09/defenses-can-now-decline-a-safety-in-some-cases-heres-how-this-could-be-a-literal-gamechanger/
  22. https://www.footballzebras.com/2023/07/ghost-edit-to-the-rulebook-redefines-a-safety-via-intentional-grounding/
  23. https://operations.nfl.com/media/24emxacq/2024-nfl-rulebook.pdf
  24. https://www.viqtorysports.com/1-point-safety/
  25. https://www.si.com/nfl/2013/01/04/fiesta-bowl-safety
  26. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfls-rarest-play-nearly-happened-in-week-1-ravens-almost-gave-up-first-one-point-safety-in-league-history/
  27. https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/a-word-on-football-rouge-safety-and
  28. https://www.nytimes.com/1920/11/07/archives/record-of-harvardprinceton-football-games.html
  29. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Walter-Camp-on-football-2215532
  30. https://pasttimesports.biz/products/scoringrules.html
  31. https://www.britannica.com/sports/football-Canadian-sport
  32. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/evolution-of-the-nfl-rules/
  33. https://canadianfootballhistory.ca/2025/09/24/cfl-goes-with-shorter-end-zones/
  34. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl-introduces-4-rule-changes-for-2009-season-1.852584
  35. https://www.cfl.ca/2009/05/11/cfl-approves-rule-changes-suggested-by-fans/
  36. https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/07/11/college-football-ncaa-rules-difference-pros
  37. https://www.quirkyresearch.com/2013/01/04/one-point-safety/
  38. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/patriots-bills-game-nearly-had-the-first-one-point-safety-in-nfl-history
  39. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/safety_md_year_by_year.htm
  40. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/nfl-safeties-should-be-worth-more-than-touchdowns/
  41. https://www.baltimoreravens.com/video/highlight-sam-koch-intentionally-takes-safety-19265074
  42. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4032062/2022/12/29/college-football-2022-worst-performances-iowa-texas-am/
  43. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2019/opp.htm
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