Question about the targeting rule in US Football

[qwertvt]

If you have a situation where targeting occurs by the defense, what happens if the offensive team declines the penalty?

I can’t remember if the offending player is still ejected.

[RudyRuetigger]

Isn't it a dead ball foul?

If so, no reason to decline

[daneblazer]

Why would they decline it? It’s free yards.

Targets are reviewed and refs decide if the kid is ejected

one of the worst rules in sports because it’s subjective. Now the punishment is even more severe

[Eddy Munny]

Show me a coach who declines a personal foul penalty and I'll show you a future McDonald's applicant.

[clockwise1965]

Its 2 separate calls. Unsportsmanlike conduct is a 15 yard penalty. Targeting is an automatic ejection.

You can have unsportsmanlike conduct and targeting on the same play.

[Eddy Munny]

Its 2 separate calls. Unsportsmanlike conduct is a 15 yard penalty. Targeting is an automatic ejection.

You can have unsportsmanlike conduct and targeting on the same play.

Started drinking early huh?

[asiagambler]

I can see a situation where this could apply. There would have to be a turnover on the play and the targeting occurs after the turnover. There must also be a penalty before the turnover (by the defense). In that case, it's in the best interest of the offense to accept the first penalty to nullify the turnover and decline the targeting.

I know in college, they automatically review all targeting plays though so player may still be ejected.

[BigdaddyQH]

It will never happen. Targeting is an automatic 15 plus an ejection. There must be an ejection for a targeting penalty, or the penalty is NOT a targeting penalty. A team does not have the option of accepting or declining the penalty.

[RudyRuetigger]

I can see a situation where this could apply. There would have to be a turnover on the play and the targeting occurs after the turnover. There must also be a penalty before the turnover (by the defense). In that case, it's in the best interest of the offense to accept the first penalty to nullify the turnover and decline the targeting.

I know in college, they automatically review all targeting plays though so player may still be ejected.

I SAID

i think it is a DEAD BALL FOUL

[pavyracer]

Why decline? It's a free time out for the offense to plan next play until the refs review it.