Coaches and players react to pass interference no-call in Lions-Cowboys game
Even members of the Cowboys defense said the penalty should have stood as called.
The story of the Dallas Cowboys' 24-20 playoff win over the Detroit Lions is quickly becoming the critical pass interference flag that was inexplicably picked up by the refs late in the game. On third-and-1 midway through the fourth quarter, the officials threw a flag and announced defensive pass interference on Anthony Hitchens, who appeared to interfere with Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew.
But after a chorus of boos from the crowd and animated reaction from Dez Bryant, the officials waved off the penalty without any explanation. The Lions punted on fourth-and-1 and Dallas promptly drove downfield for the game-winning touchdown.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell was careful to note that the loss was about more than one play, but said he never got an acceptable explanation from the refs.
Caldwell on the waived off penalty: "I don't ever really think it comes down to one call." Watch live: http://t.co/5HDXeWtjek
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 5, 2015 Caldwell on the explanation he got from officials following the waived off flag: "They didn't give me a good enough explanation."
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 5, 2015 Former NFL officials quickly came out admonishing the no-call.
Wow why would they pick up that flag...it was pass interference!
— Jim Daopoulos (@RefereeJimD) January 5, 2015 Can't answer everyone but this was a foul and should not have been picked...I have no idea or reason for the flag pick up...puzzling!
— Jim Daopoulos (@RefereeJimD) January 5, 2015 I am out of here. Biggest call was the DPI pickup. It was DPI and it was defensive holding as well. Not good. Flying back to Sac tonight.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) January 5, 2015 Even Cowboys safety Barry Church said the penalty should have been thrown.
Barry Church of the Cowboys on the pass interference called back: "I would have called it if I was the ref."
— Ebenezer Samuel (@ebenezersamuel) January 5, 2015 Daopoulos, who spent 11 years as an on-field NFL ref, claimed that refs not only waved off the pass interference incorrectly, but also missed a call against Bryant.
And yes Dez Bryant Should have been penalized for being on the field without a helmet. Really confusing situation!
— Jim Daopoulos (@RefereeJimD) January 5, 2015 Of course there was plenty of this joke:
The reason behind the Refs picking up the flag Cowboys thank #Oakman pic.twitter.com/9AxD8hosMG
— Chris (@TheLakeShOwKinG) January 5, 2015 As frustrating as the waved-off call was for many fans, the most controversial part of the play was that the officials never offered an explanation.
Amazing thing about the picked up flag in Det-Dal was that the referee never bothered to explain the call. That has to tell you something.
— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) January 5, 2015 See More:
