Gene Steratore finally gets it right
Super Bowl LII was one for the history books. What a great game! Perhaps unnoticed was the fact that the referees were fairly reasonable. Aside from some questionable PI calls and non-calls, it was solid. The Patriots Ref jokes are endless but can't really be applied to this game. It was good that the terrible NFL catch rule didn't cost the Eagles that game winning touchdown, and Steratore did a good job making the right call. I personally fully expected it to be overturned. Now if only he could fairly call a Michigan game...
February 5th, 2018 at 9:12 PM ^
I agree with the consensus. On the first one, he bobbled the ball. I suspect it would not been called a catch if it was a sideline decision, or if it was the Lions.
On the second one, as close as one could make it, he was a runner at the point he crossed the line.
Now about that game ending Hail Mary. I know the refs like to let things go but Gronkowski was tackled way before the ball got there by a player that had no chance to catch the ball. The contact from behind was legal because the defender was trying to catch the ball. If it was me, I would have had to throw a flag just because the defender pannicked. I don't blame them for not throwing it.