In the NFL’s 92 years of existence, there have been some memorable finishes. On Monday Night Football however, the craziest finish in the history of the league took place. Greater than the Immaculate Reception, Music City Miracle and Desean Jackson’s punt return for the Miracle at the Meadowlands Pt. 2. Golden Tate won the game for the Seahawks on a reception from Russell Wilson on a hail mary as time expired to beat the Packers.
If only it were that simple however as once again, the replacement referees have come under the scrutiny of fans everywhere.
Tate got away with the most obvious push off I’ve seen and M.D. Jennings appeared to have come down with the interception. But no, the referees awarded Tate with the reception and the game winner. A video of the controversial call can be found HERE If that wasn’t bad enough, the refs called an obvious pass interference on Sam Shields when Sidney Rice was the real offender to give the Seahawks the advantage in the field position battle.
The referees did it again.
A week after Jack Del Rio and John Fox were fined $55,000 combined for criticizing the referees for their officiating, Bill Belicheck may get fined or suspended for grabbing an official when the league warned the players and coaches to control their comments on the refs.
Let’s face it, they have been horrible. Literally horrible. But they aren’t the ones to blame. It’s the NFL.
It’s the multi-billion dollar league that is being stubborn over allegedly $3.7 million. I hate to say this but seriously? That’s pocket change and the product on the field is suffering because of it.
Daniel Dudley, a Pittsburgh radio host, and I were talking and we said that this game is more entertaining with the replacement refs. My brother said, “It’s like WWE.” The sad thing is, he’s right.
For a backstory, the refs who are on the field in these games have most recently officiated high school, small college and lingerie football league (yes gentlemen, it’s real) games. For being put under the microscope of the NFL, learning all of the rules and taking the abuse they have, they’ve done the best they can.
Is it acceptable? No it isn’t. But what are they supposed to do? All the calls they make, they make because they think they are right. They aren’t trying to throw games.
The fans, the media and everyone else complains about the officials, but yet they still watch the games so that equals the NFL getting their money. As long as football is on the television, people will watch regardless of the officials and the league knows that.
With that being said, karma is a you know what. I feel for the Packers, the Patriots, the Lions and every other team that has suffered because of the officials – I mean league. But at the same time, I don’t feel bad for the NFL. They deserve what they are getting and to be honest, it is entertaining and funny.
$3.7 million NFL front office. That’s it. Fork it up. If not, I’m sure The Rock and Stone Cold will be happy to make an appearance next weekend.
Photo Credits: Associated Press
