NFL tells officials: No index cards
The NFL has told its officials not to use index cards or any other paper to aid in measurements.
In Sunday night’s Cowboys-Raiders game, veteran referee Gene Steratore tried to slide what appeared to be an index card between the tip of the ball and the end of the chain whilemeasuring for a first down. When the card didn’t slide through, Steratore signaled a first down for Dallas. He said he had decided it was a first down before the odd measurement.
NFL officiating chief Alberto Riveron on Thursday confirmed what Steratore said.
“Using a piece of paper, that’s very unusual,” Riveron said. “The last time I saw it done was four to five years ago. That is not the norm. Gene made the decision strictly on visual affirmation that the ball made the line to gain.
“I will advise them not to use it again,” added Riveron, who replaced Dean Blandino this season. “I have already done that.”
LEAGUE ISN’T FORCING RICHARDSONTOSELL »
The NFL made it clear it isn’t forcing Panthers owner Jerry Richardson to sell the team while he is under investigation for sexual and racialmisconduct in the workplace.
NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said during a conference call that “there was no pressure from the league onMr. Richardson” to sell his team. Lockhart said Richardson “came to the conclusion over (this past) weekend that putting his team up for sale was what he wanted to do. We found out about it shortly before the announcement came out.”
The NFL plans to hire an outside counsel to con- duct the Richardson investigation.
Lockhart said the league didn’t know about the allegations against Richardson until Friday, the same day the Panthers put out a stunning news release first announcing its own investigation of Richardson’s alleged workplace misconduct.
That was followed on Sunday by a Sports Illustrated report that detailed Richardson’s alleged misconduct. SEAHAWKSFINED » The Seahawks have been fined $100,000 for not properly following concussion protocol with quarterback Russell Wilson during a game in November.
The NFL and NFLPA announced their decision following an investigation that lasted more than a month. Along with the financial penalty, Seattle’s coaching and medical staffs will be required to attend remedial training regarding the concussion protocol.
Seattle is the first team fined for such a violation.
The investigation determined thatWilson was allowed back on the field before a required evaluation was performed on the sideline.
The Seahawks said they accepted the results of the investigation.
MOON DENIES ALLEGATIONS »
Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon denies he sexually harassed a former assistant.
Moon did an extensive radio interview on KIROFM to address claims of sexual assault brought in a lawsuit by Wendy Haskell.
Haskell asserted that Moon made “unwanted and unsolicited” sexual advances while she worked for Sports 1 Marketing, which Moon cofounded.