The referees in Monday night’s Packers-Seahawks game screwed up, but they only kind of screwed up, the league is now saying.
The NFL released a statement on Tuesday afternoon giving its support for the call of the final play on Monday night in Seattle where Golden Tate came down with a game-winning touchdown, despite not appearing to have full possession of the football.
The play was reviewed, and it was not overturned. The NFL is cool with that; they support that call.
“When the players hit the ground in the end zone, the officials determined that both Tate and Jennings had possession of the ball. Under the rule for simultaneous catch, the ball belongs to Tate, the offensive player. The result of the play was a touchdown.”
“Referee Wayne Elliott determined that no indisputable visual evidence existed to overturn the call on the field, and as a result, the on-field ruling of touchdown stood. The NFL Officiating Department reviewed the video today and supports the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling following the instant replay review.”
However, the league did admit that offensive pass interference should have been called on Tate, who clearly shoved Packers defensive back Sam Shields.
“While the ball is in the air, Tate can be seen shoving Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields to the ground,” the league said. “This should have been a penalty for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game. It was not called and is not reviewable in instant replay.”
