Worst Calls of the Year - Pre 2002

Replay Controversy (2001)

In a game that clearly illustrates the arrogant, cover-up nature of the NFL and its officials, the Cleveland Browns were eliminated from playoff contention in a 15-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Trailing by five with the ball on Jacksonville's 12-yard line, the Browns were in position for a game-winning score.  Tim Couch hit Quincy Morgan on 4th-and-2 to get to the nine-yard line and Couch spiked the ball on the next snap for the stoppage with 48 seconds remaining.  But before the Browns could run their second-down play, referee Terry McAulay announced that the replay officials had buzzed to request a review of Morgan's reception.

"The buzzer on my belt went off just prior to the snap," McAulay said.  "We are playing football and I realize the buzzer has gone off. I go to the umpire and he says, yes, his buzzer is going off too."  NFL rules state a play cannot be reviewed after another play is run.    In addition, replay shows that no official made a motion toward his buzzer until after the ensuing play had been completed.  "(I said to) Bill Reynolds, did you press the buzzer prior to the snap?  He said, 'Absolutely, 100-percent,'" McAulay said.  "At that point we had a legal review. We go in and review the play. The ball is coming loose, hits the ground, incomplete pass."

The pass was ruled incomplete, ending the Browns’ chances of scoring a late touchdown to complete the rally and sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Browns fans in the "Dawg Pound" bleacher section closest to the play began tossing bottles and other objects from the stands.  As further example of the blatant nature in which the officiating crew ignored NFL rules, McAulay announced the game was over despite the fact that he does not have the power to call off a game before it is complete.  While both teams were in the locker room, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue called and ordered the final 48 seconds be played.

Get Out of the Way! (2001)

Referee Phil Luckett, best known for the Thanksgiving Coin Flip Controversy, added another notch to his belt.  Luckett, working the Saints-Panthers game, interfered with Saints receiver Joe Horn on a likely touchdown pass.  Horn had beaten Panthers strong safety Mike Minter and was ready to catch the ball and run into the end zone when Luckett got in his way. The ball hit Luckett in the head and bounced to the turf.

Super Bowl Ripoff (2001)

Super Bowl XXXV, Giants defender Jesse Armstead intercepted Ravens QB Trent Dilfer and scored a touchdown that was called back for defensive holding. The following Wednesday the NFL admitted the call was wrong and apologized.  While the Ravens won 34-7, the interception temporarily brought the Giants back into the game...until it was erroneously taken away.

Emanuel's "Catch" (1999)

As noted on ESPN's list of "Worst Calls in Sports History", the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drive and season ended when Bert Emanuel's apparent first-down catch late in the 2000 NFC championship game is ruled to have hit the ground -- although replays show the ball was clearly in Emanuel's grasp when it touched the turf. Emanuel's Bucs lose 11-6 to the Rams.

Rice's Fumble (1999)

Trailing 27-23 with under a minute remaining in their first round playoff game, 49er receiver Jerry Rice caught a 6 yard pass at the Packer 41 yard line, but Packers linebacker Bernardo Harris and nickel back Scott McGarrahan stripped the ball and Harris pounced on it.  The Packers began celebrating their fourth straight playoff victory over the 49ers and a trip to face the Falcons in the second-round.  Unfortunately for Green Bay, line judge Jeff Bergman said Rice never fumbled, and although field judge Kevin Mack had a better view, he didn't overrule his colleague.  Four plays later, Steve Young hit receiver Terrell Owens with the game winning touchdown.  CNN/SI's Dr. Z put it best..."The Rice thing was a flat-out blown call. He fumbled. Period."  Replay indeed confirmed that Rice had fumbled; however, instant replay was not re-instated for another year.

The Poke (1999)

Cleveland Brown offensive lineman Orlando Brown is struck in the eye with a penalty flag thrown by referee Jerry Triplette.  First came a league suspension for pushing Triplette as he tried to leave the field, an incident Brown claims was misinterpreted.  Nine months later Brown was released because his vision remained impaired to the point he was unable to pass a physical examination.  Brown was out of football for over 3 years until signing a one year deal in 2003 with the Baltimore Ravens. At the time, he had a six-year, $27 million contract, from which he collected a $7.5 million signing bonus.  Brown has since sued the league for negligence.  Said U.S. District Judge Gerard E. Lynch "had a fan attending the game been struck by a negligently thrown penalty flag, there is no question that a cause of action would lie against the referee and the NFL, on exactly the grounds raised by Brown."

Is that a Helmet or a Football? (1998)

In a December battle between the Jets and Seahawks, NY QB Vinny Testaverde's 5 yard TD run with 20 seconds to go lifted the Jets to a 32-31 victory.  One small problem...Vinny was actually stopped short of the end zone.  NFL Head of Officiating, Jerry Seemen, later confirmed the call was incorrect, but excused the official claiming the call was made because the official saw the helmet cross the goal line, and thought it was the ball.  I don't know about you, but I can clearly tell the difference between a brown football and a white helmet.  Are NFL officials required to take annual eye exams?

Thanksgiving Coin Flip Controversy (1998)

After the Lions had rallied from a 13-3 third-quarter deficit to force overtime, the captains from Detroit and Pittsburgh met at midfield to begin the process of deciding matters in sudden death. As referee Phil Luckett tossed the coin in the air, controversy ensued.  The coin came up tails.  To a nation of fans watching on CBS, Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis had called it accurately.  Unfortunately for the Steelers and their fans, Phil Luckett somehow heard heads and awarded the ball to Detroit. 

Both teams vociferously defended their viewpoints — although only the Lions ended up winning the coin toss, which they converted into a game-winning field goal from Jason Hanson just 2:52 into overtime. But in football, unlike in the legal system, the routes to an appeal are few; Luckett served as judge, jury and executioner. What followed after the game was mere hot air on both sides, with each intractably convinced of the validity of their particular argument.

"I did not say heads-tails" Bettis said. "When (Luckett) went to flip the coin, it almost hit him, so he jumped away from it. I have to believe that caused him to forget what I said, but I said tails as clear as day."

The Snow Job (1982)

Stuff Magazine said it best...

With five minutes to play, the Pats called time-out to set up for a 23-yard field-goal attempt. But with the field covered in muck, this was no chip shot. Enter Mark Henderson, a convicted felon on a work-release program. (He was serving 15 years for robbery, an irony about to become apparent.) Patriot coach Ron Meyer told him to drive his snowplow onto the field and illegally clear a spot for kicker John Smith to tee up. With the officials’ heads apparently buried in the snow, Smith spanked the pig through the uprights for a 3–0 win. New England papers hailed Henderson’s plowing skills as “the sweep of the day.”

Faux Fumble (1978)

In a game that helped bring instant replay to the NFL, the Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders 20-17 in the AFC Championship.  

The Broncos lead 7-3 midway through the 3rd quarter and had a first and goal at the Oakland 2 yard line.  Running back Rob Lytle took the handoff, but was met by Oakland defender Jack Tatum, who knocked the ball out.  Raider linebacker Mike McCoy picked up the loose ball and returned it for an apparent Raider touchdown.  Unbelievably, after a lengthy discussion, officials ruled no fumble.  Denver scored shortly thereafter to take a 14-3 lead.  Television replay clearly showed Lytle did fumble.  "Sure I fumbled" Lytle later said.  In the press box, infuriated Raider owner Al Davis reportedly yelled "What's going on here?!"  NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle sat silently a few seats away.

Art McNally, former head of NFL Officials, later admitted "It was a fumble and we were wrong on the call". Gee, thanks.  

Sugar Bear's Rougning Call (1976)

Late in the game, with New England leading 21-17, Raider quarterback Ken Stabler heaved a desperation pass that fell incomplete. It appeared that the Patriots had pulled off one of the greatest upsets in playoff history. Unfortunately for the Patriots, in stepped referee Ben Dreith.

Dreith flagged Pats' defensive lineman Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton with a bogus roughing the passer call. Stabler took advantage of the second chance and eventually scored the winning touchdown in a 24-21 Oakland victory.

Hail Mary (1975)

It is December 12th, 1975. The place — Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minn. The Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys had fought to a 10-7 Dallas lead for most of 4 quarters of football. Finally, with 1:51 left in the game, Fran Tarkenton's Viking offense capped a drive with a TD, to go ahead 14-10.  Dallas now needed another TD of their own.  Dallas reached the 50, but with only 36 seconds left, the Cowboys chances seemed tenuous at best.  Lining up once again in shotgun formation, Staubach took the snap, pump-faked left, then turned to his right and fired the ball deep downfield. Cowboys WR Drew Pearson was out there, being shadowed by Vikings CB Nate Wright.  As the ball came down, Pearson pushed off of Wright and caught the pass, trapping it against his hip at the 5-yard line. As Pearson strode into the end zone, free safety Paul Krause hurdled over Wright, screaming at field judge Armen Terzian for the interference call that was never made.  Drew Pearson later admitted to former Viking RB Chuck Foreman (who played in the game) that he did indeed intentionally commit offensive pass interference against Nate Wright.

Close Enough (1969)

In the AFL Championship game for the right to advance to Super Bowl IV, the Oakland Raiders got a preview of their future dealings with NFL officials. With the Chiefs trailing and facing 3rd and long in at their own 2 yard line, KC quarterback Lenny Dawson hit Otis Taylor for a 33 yard gain and a huge momentum shifting first down. One slight problem...Thorpe caught the pass with one foot out of bounds. Said former Chiefs coach Hank Stram "We're in deep trouble, we're in the end zone. Otis went down to the sidelines deep and made a one handed catch. It gave us a first down and enabled us to win the game."