fair catch
noun
: a catch of a kicked football by a player who gives a prescribed signal, may not advance the ball, and may not be tackled
Examples of fair catch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Jets got just their second takeaway of the season when Jamal Agnew muffed a fair catch of Austin McNamara's punt and Qwan'tez Stiggers recovered at the Atlanta 2.
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CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
Cherry Creek ended up punting, and Cash Spence muffed the fair catch, which the Bruins recovered inside the 5-yard line.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
One was the product of a botched fair catch signal.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
The reference, of course, is to the invalid fair catch signal penalty that was flagged on Iowa punt returner Cooper DeJean’s 54-yard touchdown run in the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game in October 2023.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
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CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025
Cherry Creek ended up punting, and Cash Spence muffed the fair catch, which the Bruins recovered inside the 5-yard line.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 29 Nov. 2025
One was the product of a botched fair catch signal.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
The reference, of course, is to the invalid fair catch signal penalty that was flagged on Iowa punt returner Cooper DeJean’s 54-yard touchdown run in the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game in October 2023.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fair catch
Cite this Entry
“Fair catch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair%20catch. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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