OPI in football stands for “Offensive Pass Interference.” It means an offensive player illegally blocks or pushes a defender to help a teammate catch a pass. When this happens, the play is wiped out and the offense gets a 10-yard penalty.
People usually shout “OPI!” in the middle of a game when a receiver shoves a defender before the ball arrives. Fantasy-football fans also use it on social media to explain why a big catch just got overturned on replay.
Meaning & Usage Examples
Example: A wide receiver throws a shoulder into the cornerback just before the quarterback’s pass arrives—flag on the play for OPI. Another: You’ll hear announcers say, “That’s OPI number 87,” when the replay shows the push-off.
What is OPI in football?
It’s a penalty called when an offensive player interferes with a defender’s ability to make a play on the ball.
Does OPI always cancel a touchdown?
If the penalty happens on a touchdown pass, the score is called back and the ball moves back 10 yards from the previous spot.
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