General
safety
What does safety mean?
A scoring play worth two points, awarded to the defense when the offensive ball carrier is tackled in, or fumbles out of, his own end zone.
"They sacked the QB in the end zone for a safety and a 2-point swing."
Origin
American football; the term also names the deep defensive back position.
Frequently asked questions
What is a safety in football?
A safety is a two-point scoring play awarded to the defense when the offensive ball carrier is tackled in, or fumbles out of, his own end zone.
How many points is a safety worth?
A safety is worth two points, and the team that gave up the safety must then kick the ball back to the scoring team.
Why is the defensive position also called a safety?
The safeties are the deepest defenders in the secondary, acting as the last line of defense, which is why they share the name with the scoring play.
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