Summary of the Rules See the Official Rules. Any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage that seriously hampers an eligible player's opportunity to catch the ball is considered pass interference by either team. If no penalty is called, then the opposition can challenge this decision by pointing out that the play did not affect the outcome of the game. The referee will make the final call on whether or not this was pass interference. An example from a recent NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants took place with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter and the score being tied at 10-10. With 1:03 remaining, quarterback Dak Prescott threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to receiver Michael Gallup. On the play, there was contact between two defenders with both players going for the ball; however, the ball landed in Gallup's hands first, so it is reasonable to conclude that he had control of it before any other player got a hand on it. Thus, this was not pass interference and Gallop was allowed to stay in the game. The next foul incident occurred with 2:50 remaining in the same game. This time, it was cornerback Byron Jones who committed the infraction by grabbing a jersey of Gallup while trying to break up the pass.