In American football, a receiver has made a legal catch when both feet have landed inbounds. However, it is also a legal catch if one knee touches down inbounds. NFL television commentator John Madden used the expression “one knee equals two feet” when discussing the New York Jets-Cincinnati Bengals preseason game on August 18, 1983. Madden later wrote a book, One Knee Equals Two Feet: (And Everything Else You Need to Know About Football) (1986).
 
The “one knee equals two feet” rule was remembered on December 30, 2018, when Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley touched one knee inbounds for a touchdown in a 36-35 win over the New York Giants.
   
         
2 September 1983, Rapid City (SD) Journal, “New rules pose problems” by Fred Swearington, pg. S-15, col. 2:
An indication that we’re in for a rocky season as far as the officials are concerned was provided by the New York Jets-Cincinnati Bengals preseason game (on August 18, 1983—ed.). I enjoyed former coach John Madden’s comment that “one knee equals two feet” to explain how a Jet receiver, who couldn’t possibly get both feet inbounds after catching a pass while airborne over the playing field, got one knee to scrape the field inbounds. It was ruled a legal touchdown and a phone call from NFL supervisor of officials, Art McNally, informed Madden that one knee is as good as both feet touching.
 
The actual rule states, “a pass is neither incomplete nor intercepted unless both feet of a player alight inbounds.” The only exception to this rule is when a player is pushed by an opponent so that he could not possibly get his feet inbounds. Madden then coined the phrase “one knee equals two feet.” The Jets went on to win the game, 20-17, ...
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Sports Editor’s note: Fred Swearington was for 21 years and NFL game official.
 
OCLC WorldCat record
One knee equals two feet : (and everything else you need to know about football)
Author: John Madden; Dave Anderson
Publisher: New York : Jove Books, 1987.
Edition/Format:   Print book : English : 1st Jove ed
Summary:
With anecdotes and observations, and a minumum of technical terms, Madden gives us an insider’s view of the pains, pleasures, gossip, and people that make up America’s favorite sport. Madden is a former lineman and head coach for the Oakland Raiders. Anderson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist and author.
 
DallasCowboys.com
Sunday, Dec 30, 2018 08:22 PM
Scout’s Notebook: Kicking Concerns & More Notes
Bryan Broaddus
FOOTBALL ANALYST/SCOUT
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Something I always remembered from the great John Madden in all those years that he broadcasted games: one knee equals two feet. I can’t say enough about Cole Beasley and his ability to make that play down the field. For the shortest receiver to keep his route alive and finish the way he did was one for the Cowboys history books.
     
Twitter
ducedawg
@fbwins
Replying to @Isaac_Rivals
It appears that the back judge, Cole Beasley, Dallas Cowboys, and fans did not know that one knee equals two feet…just saying look at the film. Beasley’s head down TE offering condolences to Beasley. Hell me either.  Lol😜😜
8:14 PM - 30 Dec 2018 from Bartlett, TN
 
Twitter
Ted Krumm
@thejintsman
Replying to @giorgiogd @BobPapa_NFL
“One knee equals two feet” madden’s book. Rule has never been changed.
10:30 AM - 31 Dec 2018