You completely missed my point....If you need extra slow mo, a magnifying glass, and a psychology degree, you don't make that call in that situation. And that is aside from the key fact, which you can NOT argue, that it had no bearing on the interception.
As a further aside, I do understand there are some who would negate a last play game winner on a borderline untucked shirt violation. While it may or may not be technically correct I just don't make that call. Only something very obvious and clearly impacting the play.
Exactly. And for the purpose of teaching kids sportsmanship and respect, the ref making the call is right unless it's absolutely clear that he's not.There is no video posted that allows anyone (coach, player, fan, official, officiating evaluator) to look at this play and say... without question...... Correct or Incorrect
I have never officiated football, but I do baseball and wrestling. First, I have to completely agree that there is zero way to tell exactly what happened from the two videos I have seen, which is amazing in this day and age where everything is on camera, that no better angle exists, but oh well. So I will not, and can not, say whether the official got it wrong or not.
I only chime in about the "end of the game" call. If I see a violation of some sort, it doesn't matter if the game is ending, or it's the bottom of the 9th, you have to call it. My only thing is, "you better be sure". I called a balk not too long ago in an inter-squad college game, that scored the tying run late in the game. Of course one side wasn't happy, but it was the right call. My assignor just said, "are you 100% sure, b/c you better be if you're scoring a run, and extra sure if you're scoring the tying run (as opposed to a game going from 8 - 2 to 8 - 3 for example).
My point is, I imagine the official only threw the flag because they saw something, so I can't imagine NOTHING happened. You can argue about the severity of it, and the impact of it. I just hope the official is 100% sure, b/c if they just saw an arm drag across the body, no grip, no pull, no altering of course, you can't throw that flag.....the same as if I had a microcosm of movement on the pitcher that left room for being uncertain, I am not scoring the tying run in the 8th inning on a balk.
But if he was 100% sure, then I completely support the flag, as the situation doesn't negate the responsibility of players to follow the rules and the officials to enforce them.
Two great posts from you, as usual.Just to clarify, that was a long-winded way of saying that it is wrong to say that a situation should determine whether you call a foul, or it has to be more flagrant. The only thing that heightens if you're level of certainty...don't make a game-changing call on the last play if in a flash you "might have seen something" that can be called.
Hopefully, we are keeping the flag in our waistbands the entire game when a potential foul for holding or PI does not impact the play, not solely at the end of the game.Thanks AllSports that was an exaggeration and not the point. I am sure you are aware of many excellent refs, and I have heard them often, whether basketball, football, or any sport, state they refrain from making a critical call in the last second unless it clearly impacts the play. I'm not trying to argue technicalities I just happen to agree with that view. Frankly even during games w/ infractions that occur way away from the play. Like the phantom clip call at the 40 while runner is crossing the goal.
Thanks AllSports that was an exaggeration and not the point. I am sure you are aware of many excellent refs, and I have heard them often, whether basketball, football, or any sport, state they refrain from making a critical call in the last second unless it clearly impacts the play. I'm not trying to argue technicalities I just happen to agree with that view. Frankly even during games w/ infractions that occur way away from the play. Like the phantom clip call at the 40 while runner is crossing the goal.