The NFL: The Offensive Pass Interference on Golden Tate Should Have Ended the Game

The NFL has released their statement about the tragically bad call to end last night's game, and they admit that that Golden Tate should have been flagged for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game. No, really? The league also clarified that in the end zone, possession of a simultaneous catch is reviewable, but anywhere else on the field it isn't.

So the possession was reviewed and still wrong. Way to go, replacements. Jump for the full statement, which doesn't answer the question of when this farce of replacement refs is ever going to end.

Per NFL Communications:

In Monday's game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, Seattle faced a 4th-and-10 from the Green Bay 24 with eight seconds remaining in the game.

Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson threw a pass into the end zone.  Several players, including Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate and Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings, jumped into the air in an attempt to catch the ball.

While the ball is in the air, Tate can be seen shoving Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields to the ground.  This should have been a penalty for offensive pass interference, which would have ended the game.  It was not called and is not reviewable in instant replay.

When the players hit the ground in the end zone, the officials determined that both Tate and Jennings had possession of the ball.  Under the rule for simultaneous catch, the ball belongs to Tate, the offensive player.  The result of the play was a touchdown.

Replay Official Howard Slavin stopped the game for an instant replay review.  The aspects of the play that were reviewable included if the ball hit the ground and who had possession of the ball.  In the end zone, a ruling of a simultaneous catch is reviewable.  That is not the case in the field of play, only in the end zone.

Referee Wayne Elliott determined that no indisputable visual evidence existed to overturn the call on the field, and as a result, the on-field ruling of touchdown stood.  The NFL Officiating Department reviewed the video today and supports the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling following the instant replay review.

The result of the game is final.

Feel better, Green Bay fans? Didn't think so.