NFL's Passivity is a Disgrace to the World of Sports

The replacement referees lack of knowledge of the rule book led to the Seahawks wrongfully winning over the Packers. (Otto Greule Jr.)

Normally, labor disputes in sports are between players and owners. The NFL took their disputes to a new level to involve referees this summer. Neither side would budge a bit, so the NFL decided to lock out the regular officials. This meant that the NFL would turn to "replacement referees" to begin this season. These new officials have a strange mixture of collegiate and other experience. The vast majority of them are underqualified to work NFL games, but NFL commissioner Roger Goodell tried to sweep that under the carpet.

Missed calls were pointed out during the first two weeks, but none were overly blatant. Goodell's luck ran out in Week 3 when both nationally-televised primetime games were marred by controversial endings involving officials.

Sunday Night Football featured the Baltimore Ravens hosting the New England Patriots. The Patriots led 30-28 going into the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter. They had just punted the ball to Baltimore. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco drove his team to the Patriots 34-yard line. On third-and-nine, Flacco threw deep down the right sideline to Jacoby Jones. The sideline official flagged Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty for defensive pass interference. The call was a bit questionable but could have gone either way in my opinion.

This set up the Ravens with a first down inside the ten. They let the clock wind down to set up a 27-yard field goal attempt for kicker Justin Tucker. The Patriots tried to ice the rookie with a timeout. Tucker's kick was very close to the upright, but the referees both ruled it good, giving the Ravens the 31-30 win.

Video review showed that the officials clearly made the correct call. That didn't stop Patriots head coach Bill Belichick from angrily chasing down one of the referees and initiating physical contact with him. In the press conference after the game, Belichick showed no real remorse. The NFL has leveled no disciplinary action against the coach. What is to prevent this from continuing to happen?

This brings us to the even bigger controversy at the conclusion of Monday Night Football. I will fast forward to the very last play of the game. The Green Bay Packers led the Seattle Seahawks 12-7. With time for one last play, the Seahawks had the ball on the Packers 24-yard line. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw a Hail Mary to the endzone towards wide receiver Golden Tate. Tate clearly shoved Packers cornerback Sam Shields out of the way. The ball was caught by Packers M.D. Jennings, but Tate came in and tried to rip the ball away.

The replacement referees called it a touchdown. They did review the play and the ruling stood, giving the Seahawks the win. The problem is that this clearly contrasts the NFL rule book. Today, the NFL admitted the missed call, but called it unreviewable. Goodell does have the power vested in his position to overrule the standing. However, he has been silent as can be about the controversy.

There are so many to be blame for this disgraceful situation. The NFL continues to allow unqualified personnel to play crucial roles in the outcomes of their weekly games. This is ironic because the league is trying to do so much to improve safety and protection of their players. The poor officiating is allowing for more dangerous playing and increased emotions and tempers as a result. Players are finding ways to get around what officiating is being done by the replacement referees.

Let me take a break and give the replacement referees a break. There probably haven't been any officials in the history of sports that have been so microscopically judged and critiqued as these ones are. I believe they are in over the heads. They aren't used to the pace of the game and the rules that are in place. That being said, it is inexcusable for them to be making calls based on rules they do not know or comprehend.

Back to those who are to blame, the regular referees cannot be cut any slack here. They are as stubborn and as much to blame as the owners. It is easy to say the owners are greedy, but so are the officials here. They already make $150,000 a year for the games they officiate. Do they really need to protest their lack of a pension and fringe benefits?

I mean really. Can we just have someone step up and be a man for once? Goodell doesn't want to look like he made a mistake. The owners and regular referees are too stubborn and greedy. The replacement referees are getting blamed when they aren't even the root of the problem.

I wish someone would have the guts to do the right thing. Before it is too late. Before someone gets seriously hurt. Before the integrity of the league is slandered any more. Someone needs to do the right thing for the sake of the players, their fans, and the beloved sport we call American football. Just do whatever it takes to get football back to the way it is supposed to be played.