It seems as though the NFL really isn’t a fan of defenders touching the quarterback. With the Detroit Lions looking to make a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter of their match against the Minnesota Vikings, safety Tracy Walker III broke through the offensive line to deliver as clean a sack on quarterback Kirk Cousins as you are likely to see. Unfortunately for Walker and the Lions, the back judge didn’t quite see it that way.
Throwing a flag and calling a “roughing the passer” penalty on the defender, the official was immediately the subject of scorn, with many arguing that it was the “worst call of all time.” While it may not quite live up to that billing, it certainly looks to be in contention.
Check it out for yourself, courtesy of Warren Sharp of The Ringer:
THE WORST CALL I EVER SAW GET THIS REF OFF MY TV TOTAL GARBAGE pic.twitter.com/sUgJdewXhL
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 3, 2021
Aided by a new set of downs, as well as the six inches of extra space near the goal line, the Vikings predictably scored two plays later on a quarterback rush by Cousins.
If that wasn’t enough to infuriate Lions fans—who generally have enough reasons to be infuriated with their team without the help of any officials—the same judge would make another horrendous call on the following possession.
With Matthew Stafford dropping back in the pocket with seven minutes remaining in regulation, the Detroit play-caller would deliver a strike to a streaking Marvin Jones Jr. in the end zone. Catapulting the Lions back into the game, Detroit was only a two-point conversion away from tying the game. Unfortunately for them, you-know-who had something to say.
OMG THIS REF REALLY TRYING HIS BEST TO FIX THIS GAME pic.twitter.com/WiCB2rudnR
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 3, 2021
While the Lions would eventually score a touchdown following the overturned call, Detroit would be forced to burn through an additional two minutes of game clock over seven plays. Unable to convert on the two-point try, the Vikings regained possession and burned the remaining four minutes of game time to secure the victory. It didn’t help that Justin Jefferson broke Randy Moss’ record along with the rookie receiving-yards record.
Though bad calls are apart of the game, it doesn’t seem likely that this particular official will be welcomed in Detroit any time soon.