Major Rule Changes
- A forward pass that strikes the goal posts is automatically ruled incomplete. This is sometimes known as the "Baugh/Marshall Rule" after Washington Redskins quarterback Sammy Baugh and team owner George Preston Marshall. In the previous year's NFL Championship Game, the Rams scored a safety when Baugh, throwing the ball from his own end zone, hit the goal posts (which were on the goal line between 1933 and 1973). The two points were the margin of victory as the Rams won 15–14. Marshall was so mad at the outcome that he was a major force in passing this rule change.
- The free substitution rule was repealed and substitutions were limited to no more than three players at a time.
- The receiving team is permitted to return punts and missed field goal attempts from behind their own goal line.
- The penalty for an invalid fair catch signal is 5 yards from the spot of the signal.
- A fair catch signal is valid when it is made while the ball is in flight.
Read more about this topic: 1946 NFL Season
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