I thought that the punt returner was to be given room to make the catch?

[seafoam1 3,017]

Jets punt returner flubbed a punt but there was a punt team guy literally about 1 foot directly in front of him. 

I thought they were required to give more space than that. The announcers said the returner should have taken 1 tiny step forward and made contact with the defender to draw the penalty. He literally was 1 tiny step in front of him. Hmm.

[polecatt 478]

I think that's just in college. In the NFL I don't think it's a penalty as long as they don't make contact

[rallo 136]

10 minutes ago, polecatt said:

I think that's just in college. In the NFL I don't think it's a penalty as long as they don't make contact

My understanding as well, I’m not sure the “halo” rule applies to the NFL, but I could be wrong.