on the other hand......
on the other hand......
NFL: Officials missed pass interference call in Giants-49ers
Jan. 6, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports
NEW YORK -- The San Francisco 49ers' 24-point comeback victory over the New York Giants ended with an officiating error.
The NFL said Monday that pass interference should have been called against the 49ers on the final play of the 39-38 thriller.
After a videotape review of the 41-yard attempt with six seconds left, NFL Director of Officiating Mike Pereira determined:
The Giants' Tam Hopkins, No. 65, lined up as the left guard and was illegally downfield on the pass. All three flags thrown by the officials were for that penalty.
Rich Seubert, No. 69 and normally a guard, lined up as an eligible receiver on the play. He reported to the officiating crew before the game that he would man that position on field goals.
49ers defensive end Chike Okeafor interfered with Seubert when he was attempting to catch Allen's pass. No defensive pass interference penalty was called.
"If defensive pass interference had been called," an NFL statement explained, "there would have been offsetting penalties (ineligible receiver against the Giants and pass interference against the 49ers), with the down replayed at the original line of scrimmage, the San Francisco 23-yard line. Although time had expired, a game cannot end with offsetting penalties. Thus, the game would have been extended by one untimed down."
