Last night's Monday Night Football game (September 24th), ended in an incredibly controversial fashion. The Seattle Seahawks were faced with a 4th and 10 on the Green Bay 24 yard line with only 8 seconds left to play. Given the fact that they were down 12-7, kicking a field goal wasn't an option, so they were left with just enough time to toss up a Hail Mary and pray that one of their receivers would be able to come down with the game winning catch.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson chucked the ball into the end zone where several players from both teams readied themselves for the make-or-break catch. Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate could be seen shoving the Green Bay cornerback Sam Sheilds to the ground right before he jumped up to catch the ball. However, Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings was one step ahead of him as he leapt into the air to intercept the pass, and the result was both men falling to the ground in the end zone with both of their hands on the ball.
The controversy here is that Green Bay's Jennings clearly had more possession of the ball as he fell on top of Seattle wide receiver Tate, with the ball clutched tightly to his chest. Tate was just reaching up trying his best to keep his hands clutched onto the football, but it was clear as day that Jennings had the vast majority of the possession.
Now you would think that the refs would easily rule this as an interception, but you must remember that the refs officiating the games at this time are replacement refs, as the official NFL referees are on strike. One ref ruled it as either an interception or at least an incomplete pass, as all he did was wave his arms in the air so it was confusing to see what call he was officially making. However, the other ref, Craig Ochoa, ruled it as a TOUCHDOWN!
This sent the entire Green Bay team into a frenzy, and even after the officials reviewed the play they upheld the call that the pass was a TOUCHDOWN! If this is not a sign that the NFL needs to bring back the official referees, then you have to wonder what other bogus calls will have to occur in order for the league to make things right.
