In a sport's call that has rocked an entire country of football fans, the NFL upheld the call by replacement referees' call on the Seattle Seahawks' game-winning touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night, CNN reported. According to the NFL, the missed offensive pass interference call is not reviewable and is being upheld.
"The result of the game is final," the NFL said in a statement on Tuesday. CNN reported that the NFL also said it supported the referee's decision that Seahawks receiver Golden Tate scored the winning touchdown.
"The NFL Officiating Department reviewed the video today and supports the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling following the instant replay review," it said on Tuesday.
The controversial call has exasperated football fans over the issue of NFL's replacement referees. Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang took to Twitter minutes after the game ended and wrote, "Fine me and use the money to pay the regular refs." The regular referees are currently in a lock out during a labor dispute, CNN reported.
Lang wasn't the only one to take to Twitter in the United States to express his frustration. President Obama himself tweeted about the debacle saying, "NFL on both sides of the aisle hope the refs' lockout is settled soon."
According to CNN, the NFL Players Association sent league owners a letter stating that the decision to hire replacement referees "has led to a deteriorating of order, safety and integrity."
"This affirmative decision has not only resulted in poor calls, missed calls and bad game management, but the combination of those deficiencies will only continue to jeopardize player health and safety and the integrity of the game that has taken decades to build," the letter continued.
One person who was not as critical of the call was Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. The coach told reporters, "From what I understand from the officials, it was a simultaneous catch, that's how they called it. Tag goes to the runner. Good call."
On Tuesday, New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney put in his two cents as well. According to CNN, Sweeney said, "This past weekend in the NFL has not only made a mockery of a great sport, by shined a very bright light on how important fully trained and professional officiating is to player safety."
He continued, "We wouldn't allow a factory or construction site to operate without fully trained supervisors on hand to ensure the safety of employees. Why should we do anything differently when the job site is a playing field?"
The outcome of the referees' lockout and the remainder of the NFL season is left to be seen.
WATCH THE DISPUTED CALL DURING THE GREEN BAY PACKERS VS. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS GAME
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
