The controversial call made by referee Brad Allen prior to the Cowboys’ victory over the Lions was defended by the NFL on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the NFL defended the controversial decision made by referee Brad Allen to void a two-point conversion attempt that last week would have given the Detroit Lions a victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
Officials said offensive lineman Dan Skipper reported in as eligible when both approached referee Mr. Allen along with offensive lineman Penei Sewell before the crucial, game-winning play with just seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, which led them to conclude that Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker was an ineligible receiver.
The throw that would have put Detroit ahead 21–20 against the Cowboys was received by Mr. Decker, but the officiating crew waved it off, claiming Decker’s reception was illegally touching. Given that both teams were probably headed for the playoffs, the Cowboys’ 20-19 victory caused controversy right away.
Mr. Skipper claimed he said nothing to the officials, but Mr. Decker told reporters in Dallas that he reported as eligible.
“To allow the defense an opportunity to match personnel to avoid deception and to ensure fairness, the player must immediately report the change in his eligibility status to the referee, who will inform the defensive team and will make an announcement to the stadium before that play,” an NFL official stated in a video that was posted online on Tuesday.
The official stated, “It is the player’s responsibility to ensure that the referee is fully informed of any change in status by both a physical signal with his hands up and down in front of his chest and to report to the referee his intention to report as an eligible receiver.”
The footage was sent to team coaches and other staff members “reminding them of rules pertaining to players reporting a change in position,” an NFL official told The Athletic and other sources.
It seems like Mr. Decker is indicating his eligibility to the referee on the NFL footage.
“I followed Coach’s instructions to the letter,” Mr. Decker said to reporters on Saturday. “I said, ‘Report,’ to the referee, and, uh, yeah.”
The NFL official, identified by The Athletic as Walt Anderson, stated in the video, “This process has been in place for many years and is intended to provide proper notification to the defense when players are lined up in positions that their number would not allow.”
The video also featured a chat between Mr. Decker and Mr. Allen, after which Mr. Allen addressed the Dallas defense. “It’s during that conversation that (Skipper) reports to me. After that, I go to the defensive team and inform them that (Skipper) has reported as an eligible receiver so they know who has reported,” Mr. Allen stated in a pool report. “That was the defensive line conversation.”
By sending three linemen to the referee, Lions coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Monday that he was attempting to confuse the Cowboys. When questioned if Mr. Skipper was attempting to indicate that he qualified to be a receiver, Mr. Cambell said, “Not that I know of.” Have you noticed anything?
Do you think you’ll be able to throw the ball to 68 if you’re running a play like that and 70 (Skipper) is your jumbo tight end and they know that because that’s what he does for you? He asked. “Then you’re going to decide you’re going to make 68 (Decker) eligible and he walks over to the ref and then the ref stands over 68 before the play and they hold the ball and they stand over and point at him.” “No, that’s not the issue; the issue is eligibility. Furthermore, it is unrelated to the referee.
The referee is aware. He is aware, as 68 have reported. It’s for the defense, so you’re simply hoping they happen to miss the fact that it’s seventy. They will see three distinct people. That is all.
