The internet’s abuzz with outrage over NFC Championship game referees’ failure to call blatant pass interference and helmet-to-helmet penalties, ultimately costing the New Orleans Saints a shot at Super Bowl LIII.
It’s not just the fans. It’s the media.
Let’s consider the evidence. And explore the possibilities.
The play:
It’s been documented by countless photos and videos posted all over the internet.
Check out videos shot from multiple angles here: Business Insider.
And did you hear the one about the refs saying they didn’t see the penalty-worthy play? Helpful hint: before claiming such, you may want to ensure there are no photos that clearly document otherwise.
The confession:
In his own words, the Rams’ Nickell Robey-Coleman stated that he fully expected the pass interference call, and was surprised (and delighted) when the referee quietly dismissed it. Check out the video–in his own words–here: ESPN and the smug “Hell, yeah” admission of guilt here: New York Post. And the most egregious, he proudly commented, “Obviously, I smacked that a**…put that boy on a (expletive) Waffle House frying pan.” See this video boasting of his hard hit here (quite likely he’ll delete it soon, so click to see while it’s still up.)
The remedy:
According to the 2018 NFL Rulebook, the Commissioner has the authority to reverse the result of the game or reschedule the game from the point at which the extraordinary act occurred, as follows:
RULE 17. EMERGENCIES
….
SECTION 2 – EXTRAORDINARILY UNFAIR ACTS
ARTICLE 1. COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY
The Commissioner has the sole authority to investigate and take appropriate disciplinary and/or corrective measures if … any calamity occurs in an NFL game which the Commissioner deems so extraordinarily unfair or outside the accepted tactics encountered in professional football that such action has a major effect on the result of the game.
….
ARTICLE 3. PENALTIES FOR UNFAIR ACTS
The Commissioner’s powers under this Section 2 include … the reversal of a game’s result or the rescheduling of a game, either from the beginning or from the point at which the extraordinary act occurred.
Read more in-depth analysis of this option here: CBS Sports.
Care to do the right thing, Roger Goodell?
The Fans, taking charge:
So what can we do while we wait for a sign of integrity?
Host our own New Orleans Saints Super Bowl event.
Let’s have a big ole Super Bowl party in the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Feb. 3. We can create one heck of a party watching the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV video when the Saints defeated the Colts (fairly!) Reasonably priced tickets, costs offset by event sponsors and concessions, and the Saints in the house to feel the love. Plus dedicate net proceeds to Steve Gleason’s non-profit, Team Gleason. (Can you think of a better or more appropriate cause than this?) And a bit of lagniappe, a showcase of the Saints players’ foundations and charitable organizations on the Superdome floor, to show the many ways they’re not just champions on the field, they’re champions in the community.
A New Orleans Saints parade – logistically feasible.
Have you seen Harry Connick, Jr.’s Instagram post expressing discontent and calling for change, namely “booth review of outcome-altering no-calls?”
While the results of that plea remain to be seen, Mr. Connick has another opportunity available: the addition of a few floats for the New Orleans Saints to his very own Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade. The streets will already be barricaded and blocked, New Orleans Police and additional law enforcement officers already in place and tens of thousands of fans lining the streets, so it’s an affordable and logistically feasible option. And you can bet those floats will add even more excitement to the Orpheuscapade. Perhaps Mardi Gras World will donate use of a few.
It’s highly unlikely that the NFL will do what it should. But we don’t have to let that rain on our parade.
Let’s show the New Orleans Saints–and the world–how die hard fans do it right.
Bless you, boys.
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