NFL Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1

Dead Ball Declared
An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended:

(D) when a runner declares himself down by sliding feet first on the ground. The ball is dead the instant the runner touches the ground with anything other than his hands or his feet.

A quick hat tip to ESPN for the rule.

ANOTHER section of the rule reads as follows:

An official shall declare the ball dead and the down ended… when a runner is out of bounds, or declares himself down by falling to the ground, or kneeling, and making no effort to advance.

Thanks to http://www.football-refs.com/201110/did-victor-cruz-give-himself-up/ for more information

Victor Cruz Video of Catch and Run

Stay tuned to GMENHQ for continue coverage of this hotly debated topic!

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