Had an impact on the play. Particularly when the play is long and not isolated to one part of the field. It isn’t like he was standing on the 20 yard line when the play was at the other goal line.

I’m guessing then if they had scored the ref would have called something different, if his hands were truly tied.

There is no way the touchdown would have stood, with an administrator from the team with the ball, in the middle of the play screaming at the officials. It’s illogical.

And if that is the case, why wouldn’t teams exploit that rule until a change was forced?

Makes no sense.