I was in Tampa all of last week, so perhaps things changed since I last saw a football game, but it’s my understanding that when you throw the ball forward, and it hits the ground, this is considered an incomplete pass and not a fumble. Yet for reasons that I’m certain to never understand, the officials last night ruled this play a fumble, and then didn’t even take the time to give it a closer look on replay:↵
In Which We Find Something to Complain About From an Otherwise Outstanding Super Bowl
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↵A replay review wasn’t even necessary. It was obvious even at full speed that his arm was going forward. I hate to be the “NO ONE CAN DISPUTE THIS!” guy, but honestly, no one can dispute this. It was an incomplete pass. The Cardinals got cheated out of a final Hail Mary attempt, which would’ve come from around the 30 yardline when you factor in the 15-yard penalty the Steelers incurred on the play. So really, not a Hail Mary at all at that point. Sure, it’s still highly unlikely Arizona converts for the TD, but when you consider Larry Fitzgerald’s leap-and-catch ability, and the shortened field, it certainly looks like more of a real possibility than merely a prayer. ↵
↵So, why wasn’t the play reviewed? The officials say they were just that certain that they got the call right. Kurt Warner, meanwhile, is as confused as we are:↵
↵↵⇥“I was really surprised on that one because I was definitely moving my arm forward to throw the ball,” Warner said. “I thought I’d almost gotten the ball off, so yeah, it does surprise you that in that kind of situation -- five seconds to go to decide the Super Bowl -- you would think it was something they’d do.” ↵↵Ya think? Especially considering the crew reviewed every single questionable call throughout the entire game. Yet the biggest play of the game -- the one that would officially decided the Super Bowl champs one way or the other -- wasn’t given a closer look. Although I suppose this was the most fitting way for the game to end considering every big call -- and bad break -- the entire night seemed to go against Arizona. ↵↵(Please note: Before you starting yelling loud noises at this post -- “THE BETER TEAM ONE DON’T BLAME TEH REFS STOOPID!!!!” -- know that I’m not saying the Steelers don’t deserve the win, or didn’t outplay the Cardinals, or whatever. I’m speaking specifically about this one play that, if called correctly, would’ve given us a finish slightly more climatic than Ben taking a knee.)↵
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This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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