If you’re a New England Patriots fan, you surely remember the controversial end to the team’s 24-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers last November.
On the last play of the “Monday Night Football” game, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw a ball in the direction of tight end Rob Gronkowski, who failed to make the catch while being impeded by Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly in what many viewed as a pass-interference penalty.
The referees failed to throw a flag, though, and since a potential penalty cannot be reviewed, the Patriots lost.
That controversial scenario could have a different outcome in the near future, as the Canadian Football League’s board of governors will vote next Thursday on a proposed rule change that would allow pass interference calls to be reviewed by referees. The potential change also would allow non-calls to be challenged and changed to a pass interference penalty after video review.
Since pass interference is deemed a “judgment call,” it currently isn’t reviewable under NFL and CFL rules. As the replay system expands, however, there has been a growing movement to ensure refs make the correct call on pass interference calls, which have often had a major impact on many NFL games.
The proposed rule change has a long way to go before it reaches the NFL, but an adoption of the rule in Canada would represent a major step forward.
Photo via Twitter/@EyeOnNFL
