Wow… I think that’s all that can be said in the aftermath of the Green Bay Packers/Seattle Seahawks Monday night game with one of the more bizarre endings you’ll ever witness in football.
And no, the bizarre ending isn’t the Seahawks pulling off a 14-12 victory over the Packers, it once again is the replacement officials who in essence ripped the victory away from Green Bay and gave it to Seattle.
The controversy (for the most part) came in the final seconds when Seattle rookie QB rolled out left avoiding multiple sacks from Green Bay defenders. Wilson then threw a hail mary jump ball to the end zone where he connected with teammate Golden Tate for the touchdown and the win.
Or was it a touchdown?
Upon further review you will first see Golden Tate push off in the end zone which should’ve first and foremost been called an offensive pass interference penalty, but it doesn’t end there. Tate along with Green Bay defender M.D. Jennings jumped up for the ball with Jennings coming down appearing to have full control and an interception ending the game. Tate on the other hand had what looked to be a single arm on the ball and continued to fight for possession while on the ground. It was here that one referee was ready to signal an interception and touch back while the other called it a touchdown.
From there the officials went up stairs to “verify” the call where it was ruled a touchdown and a victory for the Seahawks.
Now the NFL rule regarding a simultaneous catch between two opposing teams says that the passing team will ultimately be given possession if both players have equal possession of the ball. In tonight’s case though you really can’t say Tate had equal possession considering the ball was firmly in the chest of Jennings. It also appeared that Tate continued to try and get possession of the ball when both players were on the ground which wouldn’t fall into the NFL’s ruling on the original play.
When asked after the game if he pushed off, Tate responded that he didn’t know what you are talking about.
From here you have to wonder if this will be the breaking point for the NFL and their negotiations with the officials. You also have to wonder how much longer the NFL can continue like this with if no deal is immanent.
h/t: YouTube