I think the rule should be stated either always yes or always no. The contestant should not be allowed to call a foul on himself. He shoud be able appeal the decision though. It just gives the opponent another way to shark the game. If a contestant can make the decision...do away with referees.
I couldn’t disagree more. Often only the player knows he fouled. An ever so slight feathering of the CB. Brushing an OB with you arm as you stand up. Or the player knows with certainty they fouled with a double hit. In all those situations IMO the player can and should call the foul.
A close hit on an OB with a referee is harder and I would understand not second guessing the ref, but to suggest a player can knowingly foul as in the first paragraph and shrug it off as “the ref missed it” is a step in the wrong direction, IMO.