AMERICA’S SHAME
Players, fans, even Obama fume as ref fiasco stains NFL, and still lockout drags on
As nation including the First Fan himself erupts over game-ending mess in Seattle Monday night that shatters image of once-proud NFL, little progress is made in talks between league and real officials.
FROM THE well-lit visitors locker room at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field to the White House lawn to the negotiating table in Manhattan, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell heard from every corner of the country about replacement officials in the aftermath of the Seahawks’ controversial victory over the Packers Monday night.
“Terrible,” President Barack Obama said about the refereeing fiasco that ended the game as he walked off Marine One following his two-day trip to New York City on Tuesday. “I’ve been saying for months, we gotta get our refs back.” Not so fast. Gridlock remains despite growing calls for a return to the field by regular referees. While the football world grew restless in light of the Seahawks’ 14-12 win on a disputed call in the end zone, representatives from the league and the NFL Referees Association met at the league offices in midtown Manhattan for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday. No progress toward ending the lockout was announced.
Gamblers and government officials, meanwhile, leveled grievances and alleged lack of control by Goodell as the league continued to lock out the regular officials.
DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, called the employment of substitutes a safety issue for the players.
“The decision by the NFL owners to lock out the referees jeopardizes your health and safety,” Smith said. “This decision to remove more than 1,500 years of collective experience has simply made the workplace less safe.”
Players and coaches sounded off on Twitter, Facebook and radio airwaves, but team owners remained reticent about the on-field effect and ongoing labor strife. Giants president John Mara declined comment through a team spokesman.
And the man who caused Monday’s mess by calling the play a touchdown, replacement side judge Lance Easley, was also silent, telling the Daily News the NFL asked him to keep his mouth shut regarding the controversy.
Players, however, weren’t so silent.
“It’s a circus out there, man,” Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw said on ESPN Radio.
Salaries and pensions remain the most contentious points being debated between the referees and the league. The collective bargaining agreement expired on May 31, and replacement officials were trained in the offseason, but the quality of officiating has fallen off.
“I love this league and love the game of football, but tonight’s debacle hurts me greatly,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said on Twitter. “This is NOT the league we’re supposed to represent.”
Replacement officials have drawn ire from players and coaches through the season's first three weeks. Denver coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio were fined for their demonstrative objections to calls in Week 2. Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan are being reviewed for their antics at the end of their games Sunday. Both apologized for their behavior and insisted that they were attempting to gain explanations from the referees.
The play that inspired such widespread consternation was upheld by the league Tuesday. Less than 12 hours after Seattle wideout Golden Tate shoved Green Bay defensive back Sam Shields in the back and to the ground, the league admitted that pass interference should have been called. However, later in the play, Packers safety M.D. Jennings ostensibly intercepted the ball before Tate got his hands on it, too. Even though replays showed otherwise, it was deemed to be a “simultaneous catch,” which by rule meant a Seattle reception, and in this case, a touchdown. The NFL maintained that the score, as well as the final result, would not be overturned.
Packers players, including guard Josh Sitton, were apoplectic afterward. Sitton called for a players strike if conditions do not improve.
“This is getting ridiculous!” Sitton said on Twitter. “The NFL needs to get the refs back bfr we strike and they make no money!”
Criticism also came from an