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Neil deGrasse Tyson
Russell Wilson's controversial lateral was physically legitimate in the reference frame of the runners
In the reference frame of the quarterback and the running back, it was a legitimate lateral. From the reference frame of the grid, the ball moved forward. But you're penalizing players for running fast. I think as long as Russell Wilson stayed ahead of the other runner while he threw it, the spirit of a lateral is being preserved.
Physically, he is correct about the reference frames. However, the NFL rule considers the ground as the fixed reference frame, meaning it was technically a forward pass if it crossed a forward yard line.
