NFL senior V.P. of officiating Dean Blandino said Seattle Seahawks' defensive back Richard Sherman would have and should have been flagged for roughing the kicker if the play had been live.
Related: NFL admits huge officiating mistake by handing down this fine to Richard Sherman
Sherman was only flagged for being offsides, and as he attempted to block Dan Carpenter's kick he touched the ball before hitting Carpenter's plant leg.
"Touching the ball doesn't negate roughing the kicker," Blandino said.
He also added that roughing the kicker is only avoided when the defender hits the kicker on the follow through after blocking a kick.
Sherman was fined $9,000 for hitting the Buffalo Bills' kicker although he wasn't penalized for unnecessary roughness.
(h/t Pro Football Talk)
