Ed Hochuli said something about ‘Jungle Boy’ during Panthers-Cardinals

Live mic picked up By Rule Hochuli saying: "I got the word from Jungle Boy that was a good call."

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) January 3, 2015

Not sure if they aired it, but Ed Hochuli said "I got the word from Jungle Boy that was a good call." with an open mic after last penalty.

— Heath Cline (@heathradio) January 3, 2015

Hochuli on a hot mic: "I got the word from Jungle Boy that was a good call."

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 3, 2015

Hochuli says "I got the word from Jungle Boy that was a good call." #jungleboy

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) January 3, 2015

It didn't make it onto the broadcast, but the veteran NFL ref definitely called somebody or something "Jungle Boy." And everybody was confused.

Who or what is a Jungle Boy?? #NFLWildcard #Hochuli

— Robert Flores (@RoFloESPN) January 3, 2015

Jungle Boy? Wait. What?

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) January 3, 2015

Paging Jungle Boy. Would Jungle Boy please come forward and identify himself?

— Cindy Boren (@CindyBoren) January 3, 2015

Our best guess was that he was referencing Charlotte sports fan Ric Flair, who goes by Nature Boy. But there was a more reasonable explanation for this:

For those asking Hochuli did make a reference to "Jungle Boy" in the 3rd Qtr. He was referring to Replay Official Tom Sifferman (cont.)

— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 4, 2015

That is Sifferman's nickname on his crew. Hochuli mistakenly opened up his stadium mic, instead of his wireless mic to the other officials.

— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 4, 2015