Total Pro Sports
NFL referees have one of the most difficult jobs in sports, making split-second decisions that can impact the outcome of games. While human error is inevitable, some officiating mistakes have been so egregious that they have led to outrage among football enthusiasts. These controversial calls have influenced playoff games and championship outcomes and even led to rule changes.
Here are six of the most infamous referee decisions in NFL history.
While most officiating controversies involve game-time calls, the 1998 Thanksgiving matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions saw a blunder before overtime even began. During the coin toss, Steelers running back Jerome Bettis called “tails.” However, referee Phil Luckett claimed he heard “heads” and awarded the ball to the Lions.
Replays and audio confirmed Bettis had correctly called “tails,” making the incorrect decision one of the most baffling in NFL history. The Lions took advantage of the mistake, scoring on their opening drive to win the game. The controversy led the NFL to implement an improved coin toss procedure, requiring referees to use electronic communication to confirm calls.
Dallas Cowboys fans will never forget the moment in the 2014 NFC Divisional Playoff against the Green Bay Packers when officials ruled Dez Bryant’s catch incomplete. On a crucial 4th-and-2 play, quarterback Tony Romo threw a deep pass to Bryant, who appeared to make a leaping catch at the Packers’ 1-yard line.
Despite Bryant securing the ball and making a football move toward the goal line, officials overturned the completion after a challenge by Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. They ruled that Bryant had not “survived the ground,” leading to a turnover on downs. The controversial decision ended the Cowboys’ playoff run and ignited debates about the NFL’s catch rule. The outcry was so strong that in 2018, the league adjusted its catch rule, effectively acknowledging that Bryant’s play should have been ruled a catch.
Also Read: 10 Rules The NFL Should Adopt From Other Leagues ASAP!
One of the most debated plays in NFL history, the “Music City Miracle” took place during the AFC Wild Card Game on January 8, 2000, between the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills. With 16 seconds left and the Bills leading 16-15, the Titans attempted a last-second kickoff return. Tennessee’s Frank Wycheck threw a lateral pass across the field to Kevin Dyson, who ran 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
The controversy lies in whether Wycheck’s pass was a legal backward lateral or an illegal forward pass. Replays appeared to show the ball traveling slightly forward, which should have nullified the touchdown. However, after review, officials upheld the play, allowing Tennessee to win and advance in the playoffs. To this day, Bills fans believe the game was stolen due to a blown call.
