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Follow-on

In Test cricket, the follow-on is a regulation under Law 14 of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) that allows the team batting first in a match of five or more days to enforce the opposing team to bat their second innings immediately upon completing their first, if the leading side holds a first-innings advantage of at least 200 runs.^[1] This rule aims to prevent time-wasting and drawn matches by accelerating play when one team dominates, though the decision to enforce it rests solely with the captain of the leading team, who must notify the umpires and opposing captain before the innings concludes, with no option to retract once declared.^[1] The follow-on originated as an informal custom in English cricket as early as 1787 but was formalized as a mandatory law in 1835, requiring teams with substantial leads to compel the opposition to follow on, though it evolved into an optional strategy in 1900 to balance risk and reward.^[2] In modern Test cricket, the 200-run threshold applies universally for multi-day formats, with reduced margins for shorter matches—150 runs for three- or four-day games, 100 runs for two-day contests, and 75 runs for one-day matches—to account for limited playing time.^[1] Enforcing the follow-on carries strategic risks, as it exposes the bowling side to fatigue and potential collapse if the trailing team mounts a recovery, leading captains to invoke it less frequently in recent decades despite its potential to secure victories.^[3] Notable instances highlight the rule's drama: only three teams have ever won a Test after being forced to follow on, across four instances, with the most famous being India's historic 2001 victory over Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, where they overcame a 274-run deficit to chase an improbable 384 in the fourth innings.^[4] The other instances include England's victories in 1894 (Sydney) and 1981 (Headingley), and New Zealand's 2023 win over England at Wellington by one run.^[5] High-profile losses after enforcement, such as Australia's 1981 defeat at Headingley despite enforcing the follow-on, underscore the gamble involved.^[2] The rule remains a cornerstone of Test cricket's tactical depth, influencing match outcomes in over 300 instances since the format's inception in 1877, though its use has declined with the rise of aggressive batting and pitch deterioration factors.^[6]

Rules and Mechanics

Definition and Purpose

In first-class cricket, matches are structured such that each team has the opportunity to bat twice, known as two innings per side, allowing for a comprehensive contest over multiple days. This format underpins the game's strategic depth, where outcomes can range from outright wins to draws if time expires without a decisive result. The follow-on is a specific rule in first-class cricket that permits the team batting first, upon achieving a substantial lead in their first innings, to compel the opposing team—batting second—to commence their second innings immediately, without the leading team batting again in between.^[1] This enforcement skips the leading team's second innings temporarily, effectively compressing the match timeline by requiring the trailing side to continue batting right away after being dismissed in their first innings. The primary purpose of the follow-on rule is to accelerate the match toward a definitive result, preventing scenarios where a trailing team might employ time-wasting tactics to secure a draw due to the fixed duration of first-class games.^[7] By forcing the weaker batting side back to the crease promptly, it increases the likelihood of the leading team taking the remaining 10 wickets needed for an innings victory, thereby conserving match time and resources that would otherwise be spent on unnecessary batting.^[7] For instance, if Team A scores 400 runs in their first innings and Team B manages only 150 before being all out, Team A could enforce the follow-on, requiring Team B to bat their second innings immediately; this setup allows Team A to potentially bowl twice in succession, heightening pressure and often concluding the match in fewer days than the full allotted time.^[1]

Minimum Lead Requirement

In cricket's two-innings matches, the minimum lead required to enforce the follow-on is governed by Law 14 of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket and varies according to the scheduled duration of the match to ensure proportionality and fairness.^[1] For Test matches and other five-day or longer first-class games, the batting side must achieve a first-innings lead of at least 200 runs to gain the option of enforcing the follow-on.^[8] In three- or four-day first-class matches, this threshold decreases to 150 runs, reflecting the reduced playing time available.^[1] Shorter formats have further adjusted margins: 100 runs for two-day matches and 75 runs for one-day two-innings encounters, though the latter is uncommon in modern professional play.^[1] The lead is calculated simply as the difference between the first innings total of the team batting first and the first innings total of the team batting second; the follow-on becomes enforceable only if this margin equals or exceeds the relevant threshold.^[1] For example, if the first team scores 450 and the second scores 240, the 210-run lead in a Test match would qualify, but a 180-run lead would not.^[6] Even when the threshold is met, enforcement remains optional for the captain of the leading team, who must notify the opposing captain and umpires of the decision before the start of the next innings; umpires verify the scores at the close of the second team's first innings and inform both captains if the condition applies.^[1] An additional variation occurs if the entire first day is lost to weather or other causes: the applicable lead threshold then adjusts based on the remaining scheduled days, treating the first full day of play as equivalent to a complete day for calculation purposes.^[9] These provisions balance the rule's intent to accelerate potential results against equitable considerations in time-constrained or disrupted matches.^[1]

Enforcement Procedure

In cricket matches governed by the Laws of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the enforcement of the follow-on occurs after the first innings of the team batting second has concluded, provided the leading team meets the required margin. The captain of the leading team must notify the opposing captain and the umpires of their intention to enforce the follow-on as soon as practicable following the end of the trailing team's innings.^[1] This notification is irrevocable once made, ensuring the decision cannot be altered.^[1] The umpires then immediately inform both teams of the enforcement, and the trailing team is required to commence their second innings without delay, foregoing the leading team's second innings at that stage.^[1] If the trailing team's first innings ends close to the scheduled close of play or stumps, the decision is typically made the following morning before the resumption of play, with umpires confirming enforceability based on the lead.^[1] Should the leading team choose not to enforce, they proceed to bat their second innings in the normal order.^[1] Upon enforcement, the trailing team must complete their second innings unless they surpass the target to win the match or the game is otherwise concluded.^[1] If dismissed in this second innings without overtaking the lead, the leading team secures victory by an innings and a specified number of runs, without needing to bat again.^[1] This procedure is outlined in Law 14 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, specifically under provisions for the follow-on.^[1]

Strategic Considerations

Reasons to Enforce

Enforcing the follow-on in Test cricket offers several tactical advantages, primarily aimed at accelerating a potential victory while capitalizing on the opposition's vulnerabilities. One key benefit is the ability to save time and push for a decisive result, particularly in matches where days may be lost to weather or when the leading team seeks to avoid a draw. By forcing the trailing side to bat again immediately, the enforcing team can bowl more overs in the remaining time, increasing the likelihood of taking the 10 wickets needed for an innings victory without having to bat a second time themselves. This time-saving aspect was historically emphasized in longer-format cricket to ensure outcomes, though its strategic value persists in modern Tests.^[10] Psychological pressure on the opposition is another significant reason captains opt to enforce the follow-on, as it compels the trailing team to bat under duress right after a collapse, often when their morale is low and players are physically fatigued from fielding. This can disrupt the batsmen's rhythm and heighten error rates, especially if the pitch is deteriorating or assisting bowlers. For instance, captains may choose this tactic to exploit tired opposition batsmen, maintaining momentum from the first innings dismissals and reducing the trailing team's ability to rebuild effectively. Such pressure has contributed to high success rates for enforcing teams, with data showing an 82% win rate since 2001 and only four losses ever in Test cricket history.^[11]^[10] Common scenarios for enforcement include a substantial first-innings lead, typically exceeding 300 runs, which minimizes the risk of the opposition recovering and sets up a dominant position. Captains are more likely to enforce when the forecast predicts poor weather, as it allows them to compress the match timeline and secure a win before interruptions like rain. Additionally, if the trailing team's batting lineup is perceived as weak—evidenced by a low first-innings total—enforcing maximizes the chance of an innings defeat by continuing to target vulnerabilities without giving the opposition time to regroup. In such cases, the strategy aligns with fitting in a potential declaration later, should the second innings collapse quickly, further pressuring the opposition in their final chase. While risks exist, such as the rare recovery by the trailing side leading to a loss, these instances are statistically infrequent and often outweighed by the tactical gains in favorable conditions.^[12]^[13]^[14]

Reasons Not to Enforce

Captains may opt against enforcing the follow-on to mitigate risks associated with bowler fatigue and match dynamics, even when eligible under the rules.^[10] This choice contrasts with the pressure tactics of immediate enforcement by prioritizing team recovery and strategic buildup.^[15] A primary reason for not enforcing is to preserve bowling resources, particularly when fast bowlers have already delivered a high volume of overs in the first innings. In modern Test cricket, congested international schedules increase injury risks, prompting captains to rest key pacers to ensure their effectiveness later.^[10] Enforcement rates drop notably when teams have bowled more than 60 overs, from 90% in lighter workloads to around 73% in heavier ones.^[10] This approach also allows time to wear down the opposition's bowlers through extended batting.^[15] Batting-friendly conditions further discourage enforcement, such as when the pitch is expected to improve or remain flat, reducing the advantage of immediate pressure. On venues like Wellington's Basin Reserve, where surfaces flatten over time, captains avoid exposing weary bowlers to prolonged resistance in the second innings.^[16] By batting again, teams can exacerbate pitch deterioration for their own fourth-innings bowling stint, minimizing the need for a high-pressure chase.^[15] Building a larger lead provides a safety margin, especially with a narrow advantage just exceeding the 200-run threshold in non-overcast conditions. Captains often forgo enforcement when leads are under 300 runs, a trend more pronounced since 2001, to compile a substantial total that psychologically crushes the opposition and secures the match without over-reliance on tired resources.^[10] This tactic surprises opponents and disrupts their recovery plans.^[15] Time management plays a crucial role in drawn-prone matches, where higher scoring rates leave less time to bowl out the opposition twice. Not enforcing allows the batting side to consume overs strategically, preserving match-winning opportunities while avoiding stalemates.^[10] In captaincy considerations, modern trends like England's "Bazball" approach under Ben Stokes emphasize aggressive second-innings batting to accelerate leads, reflecting a shift toward positive momentum over conservative pressure. This style avoids demotivating the team by enforcing on fatigued bowlers and aligns with broader tactical evolution away from the follow-on.^[16] Such decisions often yield victories, with teams succeeding in approximately 92% of cases without enforcement since 2001, though rare losses—such as narrow defeats after bold calls—intensify debates on risk versus reward.^[10]

Historical Development

Origins in Early Cricket

The follow-on rule originated in the late 18th century amid the evolving structure of English cricket matches. The first recorded mention dates to 1787, when it was customary for a team trailing after the first innings to bat again immediately, regardless of the deficit, enforced by mutual agreement rather than formal regulation.^[17] During the 1830s and 1840s, the practice gained informal traction in English club and county cricket, often applied in multi-day fixtures to curb time-wasting tactics by trailing teams that extended their innings unnecessarily. This usage addressed the prevalence of drawn results due to time constraints, aligning with the sport's increasing professionalism and spectator expectations for decisive conclusions in an era when matches could span several days without resolution. The rule achieved formal status in 1835 through the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), cricket's law-making authority, during a comprehensive revision of the Laws of Cricket. It was rendered compulsory for the batting side if they trailed by 100 runs or more after the first innings in a three-day match, specifically to prevent the weaker team from prolonging play when a win was improbable. The 100-run threshold was tailored for shorter games common at the time, predating the introduction of Test cricket in 1877 and marking the rule's integration into standardized play. In 1854, the threshold was reduced to 80 runs.^[18]

Evolution and Rule Changes

The follow-on rule saw key adjustments in the late 19th century to accommodate varying match durations and promote fairer play. In 1894, the compulsory threshold was raised to 120 runs for three-day matches, reflecting the need for larger leads in longer games. By 1900, enforcement became optional, with standardized deficits of 150 runs for three-day matches, 100 runs for two-day matches, and 75 runs for one-day matches. These changes aimed to give captains strategic flexibility while preventing automatic impositions in shorter formats.^[19] The 20th century brought further refinements through major MCC Laws revisions. The 1947 Code, approved at an MCC Special General Meeting, provided comprehensive clarifications across the Laws, including on optional enforcement procedures for the follow-on to ensure uniform interpretation by umpires and players. Subsequent updates in 1980 introduced differentiated thresholds based on match length: 200 runs for five-day or longer matches (increasing from the previous 150 runs used in Tests), 150 runs for three- or four-day first-class games, 100 runs for two-day matches, and 75 runs for one-day matches. These adjustments accounted for time constraints in non-Test cricket while elevating the bar for Tests to align with extended play.^[20]^[21] No substantive changes to the follow-on rule have occurred since the 2000 Code of Laws. However, broader evolutions in cricket infrastructure and formats have indirectly shaped its application. The widespread adoption of covered pitches from the 1970s onward has minimized deterioration, reducing the traditional benefit of a worsening surface for the enforcing team's bowlers in the opponent's second innings. Additionally, the dominance of limited-overs cricket—such as ODIs since 1971 and T20 since 2003—has emphasized aggressive, result-oriented strategies in Tests, making follow-on enforcement rarer as captains prioritize batting depth over pitch exploitation. Occasional debates have surfaced on modifying or abolishing the rule to enhance decisive outcomes in modern Tests, though no formal proposals have advanced.^[22]^[7]

Statistical Overview

Frequency of Enforcement in Tests

The follow-on has been enforced in 346 Test matches since the format's inception in 1877, representing approximately 14% of the more than 2,500 Tests played up to November 2025.^[23] This overall frequency reflects a strategic tool used when a team secures a substantial first-innings lead, though its application has varied significantly across eras. In the early years of Test cricket, enforcement was more commonplace, occurring in 20-25% of matches before 1950, driven by uncovered pitches that deteriorated rapidly and favored the bowling side. Historical trends indicate peaks in enforcement during the 1880s through 1920s amid variable playing conditions that often led to decisive collapses. However, the frequency has declined since 2000, dropping to under 10% of opportunities in recent Tests, attributed to flatter pitches, advanced batting techniques, and captains' preferences for resting bowlers to maintain freshness for the fourth innings.^[23]^[24] This shift is evident in data showing only 47 enforcements in the 2020s so far, compared to 81 in the 2010s, despite an increase in total matches played.^[23]^[10] Among teams, England leads with 108 enforcements, followed closely by Australia with 92, reflecting their historical dominance and higher volume of Tests played.^[23] Other major enforcers include West Indies (39), India (37), and South Africa (34). Regional factors influence usage: enforcement is more frequent in Asia, where pitches tend to deteriorate over time due to spin-friendly surfaces, compared to Australia, where consistent seaming conditions and true bounce often allow batting recoveries without immediate pressure.^[25]

Success Rates and Outcomes

When the follow-on is enforced in Test cricket, the enforcing team secures victory in approximately 78% of cases, with 269 wins recorded out of 346 total instances as of November 2025. Draws account for about 21% (73 matches), while losses by the enforcing side remain exceptionally rare at roughly 1% (4 matches). These outcomes underscore the follow-on's effectiveness as a strategic tool for forcing a result, though it does not guarantee success.^[26] The four documented losses for teams enforcing the follow-on occurred in 1894 (Australia vs. England at Sydney), 1981 (Australia vs. England at Leeds), 2001 (Australia vs. India at Eden Gardens), and 2023 (England vs. New Zealand at Wellington), yielding a historical probability of approximately 1.16%. Each case involved remarkable comebacks by the trailing team, often highlighted for their dramatic nature in cricket lore.^[27] Draws following follow-on enforcement frequently stem from weather disruptions that limit playing time or from resilient second-innings batting by the team forced to follow on, allowing them to build a substantial score and consume overs defensively. Such scenarios prevent the enforcing team from taking the remaining 10 wickets within the available time.^[10] Overall trends indicate that the enforcing team's success rate has remained stable at around 78% across eras, though it has dipped slightly in the post-2000 period—correlating with advancements in batting techniques that enable stronger recoveries from large deficits. This subtle shift reflects evolving player skills and match conditions in modern Test cricket.^[28]

Victories by Teams Forced to Follow On

In Test Matches

In Test cricket, victories by teams forced to follow on are exceedingly rare, with only four such instances recorded as of 2025. These comebacks often involve exceptional batting recoveries and bowling efforts, turning substantial deficits into wins.^[27] The first occurred during the 1894–95 Ashes series at Sydney, where England, trailing by 261 runs after scoring 325 to Australia's 586, followed on and posted 437 in their second innings. Australia managed only 166 in reply, falling short by 10 runs.^[29] Nearly a century later, in the 1981 Ashes at Headingley, England followed on 227 runs behind after Australia's 401 and England's 174. Ian Botham's 149 not out propelled England to 356 for 9, setting Australia 130, which they fell short of by 18 runs with 111 all out.^[30] India achieved the third such victory in 2001 against Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Forced to follow on 274 runs behind (171 to Australia's 445), VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) added 376 for the fourth wicket, helping India declare at 657 for 7. Australia collapsed to 212, losing by 171 runs.^[31] The most recent came in 2023 at Wellington, where New Zealand, following on 226 runs behind (209 to England's 435 for 8 dec), reached 483 in their second innings. England, needing 258, were bowled out for 256, losing by 1 run—New Zealand's first such win.^[32]

In First-Class Matches

Such victories are also uncommon in first-class cricket, with historical records noting only a handful, often from the 19th and early 20th centuries when conditions were more variable. One early example was in 1847 at The Oval, where Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) faced Surrey. MCC scored 91 to Surrey's 197, following on 106 runs behind, but replied with 216. Surrey managed 101 in their second innings, losing by 9 runs.^[33] In 1922, during a County Championship match at Edgbaston, Hampshire bowled Warwickshire out for 223 and 158, while scoring only 15 in their first innings but 521 in the second after following on 208 runs behind. Warwickshire's second innings of 158 resulted in a 155-run defeat. This remains notable for Hampshire's record-low first-innings total in a victory.^[34]

Victories by Teams Not Enforcing Follow-On

In Test Matches

In Test cricket, teams eligible to enforce the follow-on have occasionally opted against it, particularly when leads range from 200 to 300 runs, with such decisions becoming more common in modern eras due to concerns over bowler workload and match strategy. Up to 2025, there have been approximately 50 documented instances of non-enforcement in scenarios with leads under 300 runs, though the overall eligible opportunities exceed 100 across history.^[10] These choices often stem from pitch conditions that may favor batting later or the need to rest fatigued bowlers after extended spells, allowing the team to build an even larger second-innings total and apply pressure through a daunting target.^[10] Notable examples illustrate successful outcomes from this approach. In the 1968-69 Sydney Test, Australia, leading by 340 runs after dismissing West Indies for 279 in reply to their 619, chose not to enforce the follow-on to conserve their bowlers and extend their advantage; they declared at 394 for 8 in their second innings, setting 734 to win, and bowled West Indies out for 352 to secure victory by 382 runs.^[35] Similarly, during the 2006-07 Brisbane Test against England, Australia posted 602 for 9 declared in their first innings to England's 157, creating a 445-run lead, but captain Ricky Ponting declined the follow-on citing bowler fatigue on a wearing pitch; Australia added 202 for 1 declared in their second innings before dismissing England for 370 to win by 277 runs.^[35] Such decisions have proven highly effective, with teams not enforcing the follow-on since 2001 winning 91% of those Tests, compared to about 84% for those who did enforce it.^[36]

In First-Class Matches

In first-class cricket, captains have frequently opted not to enforce the follow-on when the opportunity arose, leading to victory in a substantial number of cases—far more common than the handful recorded in Test matches. This strategy is particularly evident in domestic competitions like the English County Championship, where the four-day format and bowler workload considerations often influence the decision. The choice allows teams to rest their bowlers, provide batting practice, and set up a declaration for a large target, minimizing risks associated with immediate re-bowling.^[10] A representative example from the County Championship occurred in 2025, when Yorkshire faced Worcestershire at Headingley. Yorkshire amassed 456 in their first innings, securing a lead of 294 runs after Worcestershire were bowled out for 162. Captain Jonny Bairstow elected not to enforce the follow-on, instead batting again to post a declaration at 315 for 4, before dismissing Worcestershire for 105 in their second innings to secure a 504-run victory—the largest margin in Championship history. This outcome highlighted the benefits of batting a second time to extend the lead and conserve bowling resources.^[37] In the Australian Sheffield Shield during the 1950s, similar tactical choices were made in several matches, reflecting the era's conditions where captains balanced aggressive pursuits with practical concerns like player fatigue. For instance, in multi-day domestic fixtures, teams often avoided re-bowling immediately after long spells, opting instead to build insurmountable totals that led to outright wins without risking a draw or collapse. These decisions were influenced by the physical demands of the time, including longer bowling stints on varied pitches.^[38] Patterns of not enforcing the follow-on were more prevalent before the 1970s, when uncovered pitches increased the unpredictability of second-innings batting due to potential rain damage, prompting captains to bat again for safety. In contrast, modern four-day first-class games emphasize caution, with declarations timed to maximize overs while protecting bowlers from overuse amid packed schedules. This evolution aligns with broader trends in workload management observed across longer-format cricket.^[10] Overall, teams forgoing the follow-on have achieved victory in approximately 92% of such opportunities in extended matches, a rate nearly 10 percentage points higher than when enforcing it, reinforcing the decision as a sound strategic option when conditions favor batting stability over immediate pressure.^[10]

Follow-On in Broader Contexts

In Other Cricket Formats

The follow-on rule does not apply to limited-overs cricket formats such as One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), which feature a single innings per team restricted to a maximum of 50 overs and 20 overs, respectively. This structure precludes the need for a second innings by the trailing side, making enforcement of the follow-on impossible under standard playing conditions.^[1]^[39] The Laws of Cricket define a follow-on threshold of 75 runs for one-day matches, though this applies theoretically to two-innings contests and is not used in practice for modern limited-overs formats that emphasize single-innings play and time efficiency.^[1] Instead, limited-overs cricket relies on alternative mechanisms to resolve disruptions or close contests. The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method recalculates targets in rain-interrupted matches based on overs remaining and wickets lost, maintaining equity without invoking additional innings. Ties are settled via super overs, where each team faces a one-over mini-innings to produce decisive results. Overall, these formats stress run rates, powerplays, and batting momentum over lead-based deficits, fostering high-scoring, aggressive encounters. By confining the follow-on to first-class and Test cricket, the rule preserves the tactical complexity and stamina demands of multi-day games, underscoring the distinct identity of limited-overs variants within the sport.^[1]

In Other Sports

In baseball, particularly at amateur and youth levels, the mercy rule—also known as the run-ahead or slaughter rule—allows a game to end early if one team leads by a substantial margin, such as 10 or more runs after a specified number of innings, to prevent prolonged defeats and promote sportsmanship.^[40] This mechanism shares conceptual parallels with the cricket follow-on by accelerating the conclusion of a lopsided contest, though it applies to the trailing team's inability to catch up rather than a direct re-innings mandate, and it is absent in professional leagues like Major League Baseball where full games are played regardless of score.^[41] In American football, there is no formal follow-on equivalent, but debates over "running up the score" arise when a leading team continues aggressive plays to widen an already decisive margin, often viewed as unsportsmanlike in college and youth contexts while more routinely accepted in the NFL as part of competitive play.^[42] Clock management strategies, such as kneeling to run out the final minutes, serve a similar time-saving function by avoiding unnecessary extension of the game, differing from cricket's follow-on in lacking a rule-enforced second phase and emphasizing ethical discretion over mandatory enforcement. Tennis employs tie-breaks to expedite set resolutions when scores reach 6-6, replacing the need for a two-game lead with a shorter, decisive mini-game to first-to-seven points (with a two-point margin), thereby shortening matches without altering the overall structure. This accelerates play in closely contested scenarios, contrasting the follow-on's focus on dominance by shortening potential marathons rather than enforcing a repeat effort from a disadvantaged position. In golf's match-play format, players may concede putts, holes, or the entire match at any time, frequently done when a lead exceeds the remaining holes to concede insurmountable deficits and conserve time or energy. Such concessions embody mercy principles akin to the follow-on's efficiency in multi-phase sports but rely on voluntary agreement rather than umpire imposition, highlighting a universal emphasis on time-saving amid lopsided outcomes across disciplines with minimal direct borrowing from cricket traditions.

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### Summary of Follow-On Enforcements in Test Cricket
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Mercy rule - BR Bullpen - Baseball-Reference.com
Aug 17, 2019 · The mercy rule is a provision in the rules that terminates a game early if one of the two teams has taken a substantial lead, considered to be insurmountable.
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When it comes to running up the score, there's no etiquette in NFL
Nov 18, 2010 · When your football team is so talented and yet so undisciplined, you got to be ready to get kicked and the score run up on you. And that's ...<|control11|><|separator|>