NFL Passers Had To Stand 5 Yards Behind The Line Until 1933

Under the early forward pass rules, a passer had to be at least five yards behind the line of scrimmage for the throw to be legal.

The 1932 playoff game

In December 1932 the Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans met in the NFL's first playoff game. A blizzard made Wrigley Field unplayable, so the game moved indoors to Chicago Stadium and was played on a modified field. The only touchdown came on a pass from Bronko Nagurski to Red Grange. The Spartans argued that Nagurski had not dropped back five yards before he threw. The play stood, and the Bears won 9-0.

The 1933 rule

Several rule changes followed the next season, including hashmarks and goal posts on the goal line. The Pro Football Hall of Fame calls the forward pass change the most significant: the pass became legal anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. The 1933 NFL rule book says the passer may pass the ball from any point behind the line of scrimmage.

Today

Rule 8, Section 1, Article 2 of the 2026 rulebook allows the offense one forward pass from behind the line during each down. There is no minimum distance behind the line.