Packers Lose; So Does NFL on Officials’ Horrible Call

September 25, 2012 @ admin → No Comments

Well, this was going to be a feel-good story — at least the first part of today’s effort — about Adam Dunn hitting two home runs, including a three-run homer in the eighth inning to rally the Chicago White Sox over the visiting Cleveland Indians 5-4 on Monday (Sept. 24). And then shortly thereafter your humble correspondent switched cable channels just in time to see the last play of “Monday Night Football.”

Impact Wrestling's refs might be able to suffice as NFL replacements.

Today probably is the best day that NFL officials — the black-and-white striped shirts variety who officiate games — have had in a while after being locked out. Today probably is the worst day that NFL officials — the commissioner Roger Goodell variety — have had in a while since the league instituted replacement on-field officials.

The reason?

One of the worst calls in NFL history. And that might be an understatement.

A 24-yard Hail Mary pass on which Seattle Seahawks receiver Golden Tate committed offensive pass interference (that wasn’t the call that was made; nor was it the one that ranks at the bottom) was ruled a touchdown for a 14-12 victory over the Green Bay Packers. On a play that looked to most of the world — other than perhaps to the Seahawks faithful and a couple of replacement officials — to be an interception by safety M.D. Jennings.

You had to see it to believe it. tate did wrestle with Jennings for the ball — but only after Jennings had possession. The play was reviewed — by non-replacement types — and was upheld. Had the officials ruled the play an interception, it seems likely that call would have been upheld.

Confused?

Disgusted was more like it.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy was reasonably calm in the aftermath and led off his postgame media gathering by saying he wasn’t going to talk about the officiating. Apparently, he has better things to do with his money than send it to NFL offices.

One can only imagine how Mike Ditka — or a number of other more volatile types — would have reacted.

Playboy Playmate Jaime Edmondson isn't happy with the NFL.

At the very least, you know when the crew on ESPN is criticizing the NFL, something wrong just went down. Integrity, for one thing. So you would think the NFL has to step in to maintain integrity of bettors everywhere. Meaning fantasy leaguers, of course. What about integrity of the game? Oh, that too.

At least the bar has been set. No replacement refs can do any worse than the ones on “Monday Night Football.” Must be a relief to Goodell.

Even the studio folks at NFL Network were saying the call was wrong. Not sure whether Goodell can fine them.

If ever there was a game that called — or screamed — to have the outcome overturned, this game would appear to be the leading candidate. Extenuating circumstances, anyone? Unlike major-league baseball, which refuses to use 20th century technology more than minimally in the 21st century, the NFL has advocated overcoming human error. Whether Goodell will step forward in such an obvious opportunity is something that likely will be answered by the time some out there in cyberspace read this.

I can’t wait for someone to ask Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith — or any other NFL coach — about the call. Anything beyond a bland, evasive answer would be an upset.

Less evasive was Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who called the loss the most bitter of his career.

Meanwhile on Twitter, Packers guard T.J. Lang tweeted shortly after the game: Got fucked by the refs.. Embarrassing. Thanks nfl

Followed by: Fuck it NFL.. Fine me and use the money to pay the regular refs.

Well, he may get his wish about being fined, but don’t look for the NFL to use it to pay the regular refs. About 35 minutes later, Lang tweeted:

Any player/coach in Seattle that really thinks they won that game has zero integrity as a man and should be embarrassed.

Salimatu Dumbuya was among the competitors at the Midwest Championships.

Of course, he wasn’t the only one on Twitter, which is the 21st century equivalent to letters — in this case, 140 characters or less — to the editor in newspapers. You remember newspapers, don’t you? Generally used for lining bird cages, helping to start campfires, etc. Among a few of those tweets:

* Matt Iseman ‏@mattiseman: These calls are so bad, I’m guessing the replacement refs normally work for AT&T. #NFL
* Mike Leiderman ‏@mleiderman: If these NFL officials were told to spread the word that “the British were coming,” we’d still be singing “God Save the Queen.”
* SportsCenter ‏@SportsCenter: Tweet of the night? RT @ReignofTroy Russell Wilson became the first QB in history to throw a game-winning interception.
* Katie Clifford ‏@replikate: We need the replacement officials gone if for no other reason than I cannot take a whole season of this much social media ranting.
* Replacement Ref ‏@RepIacementRef: Yeah, I have Golden Tate on my fantasy team … So what?
* jaime edmondson ‏@jaimeedmondson: Going on friday, football is dead 2 me RT @SportsCenter: RT @bubbawatson All @nfl fans watch the Ryder Cup this week, we got no refs. #USA
* Vince LiFonti ‏@ChicagoVince: #ThingsBetterThanReplacementRefs The chances that the #Matadors make a return to the @UnitedCenter for @ChicagoBulls basketball.
* Jimmy Traina ‏@JimmyTraina: How many employees do you think the NFL has working right now to get every video of final play scrubbed off YouTube?
* The Heckler ‏@The_Heckler: Honestly, we’re still not convinced. This whole replacement ref thing might work out. Give it time, people!
* Peter King ‏@SI_PeterKing: One of the great disgraces in NFL history.
* Matt Abbatacola ‏@MattAbbatacola: That play was so ridiculous that Chris Chelios just set a flame to the shirt he was wearing
* Lindsey Willhite ‏@WillhiteWolves: How much fun would the Monday Night Football ending have been if #HawkHarrelson was play-by-play guy for the Green Bay Packers? #whitesox

***

Speaking of the Sox, their victory kept them one game ahead of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. The triumph cut the Sox’ magic number to nine.

Dunn’s four RBI give him 94, giving him a much better shot at 100 for the season with nine games to go. He also became the sixth White Sox with 40 homers in a season. The others: Frank Thomas, Paul Konerko, Albert Belle, Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome. This concludes our Sox coverage until a night when the NFL replacement officials are not making a bad call. Namely Tuesday.

***

Another day, another video from the Midwest Championships on Sept. 22 at Harper College in Palatine, Ill. The efficiently run show by Stacy Stengel was so smooth that some of us spent time in the lobby without realizing contestants were on stage. Fortuntely, there still was time to take a few videos: