A controversial call from the referee isn’t uncommon in sports. It creates so many discussions within the NFL universe. Recently Tom Brady gave some important suggestions to the referee.
The previous several days have been difficult for referees, even though they are not now facing any form of penalty for their mistakes.
Following Jayson Tatum fouled LeBron James on a possible game-winning play on Saturday night, the NBA made headlines for the officials’ appalling failure to call the foul. The Los Angeles Lakers ultimately lost to the Boston Celtics in that game, and LeBron had a famous meltdown while Pat Beverley was sent out for really showing a camera toward one of the officials to prove that James had been injured.
During the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, supporters accused the NFL of being “fixed,” sending social media ablaze.
Throughout the course of the match, the Bengals were the subject of several contentious decisions that went against them. Such events occurred during the NFC contest as well.
Against the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith made a heroic attempt to accomplish a one-handed catch, which was called a favorable consideration until videos revealed the ball had really struck the field.
Hands down the game was rigged! https://t.co/LVhp6FA0L1
— TPS (@TotalProSports) January 30, 2023
A lot of discussions have centered on refereeing in the lead-up to the Championship Game. In the latest issue of the Let’s Go! Podcast, Brady discussed the subject and said that officials should just call fouls when violations are blatantly visible.
Tom Brady went on saying, “It’s just the way sports are, you know, it’s just another thing for us to get emotional about. The refs got a tough job. Are they going to get every call right? I mean, is anyone a hundred percent in their job? It’s a hard job to do. They’re making decisions in a millisecond. This is what I believe . . . there were three terms they used . . . it was clear, it was obvious and . . . it was prolonged. At the end of the day that would be my barometer for throwing flags. That would be my barometer for taunting. Was it clear? Was it obvious? And was it prolonged? If it meets those criteria, penalty.”
This is good guidance, but the distinction between clear and apparent is inherently arbitrary. It’s possible that in the excitement of the moment, the referees won’t have the same clarity of vision that the spectators have, and conversely.
If the Super Bowl can avoid the controversies that have marred the last two games, that would be amazing.
