The National Football League admitted this week that game officials made a critical mistake during the October 6 contest between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts.
The St. Petersburg Times quotes NFL director of officiating Mike Pereira as saying the error was not one of judgment, but rather a lack of knowledge of the rule book.
With just over 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Tampa Bay leading 35-21, Indianapolis' Mike Vanderjagt attempted an onside kick that was caught in the air by Colts safety Idrees Bashir at the Indianapolis 42-yard line. The Colts retained possession and proceeded to drive 58 yards for a touchdown to pull within seven.
Indianapolis eventually tied the score in the final minute and won in overtime.
Pereira said the officiating crew erred in not knowing Rule 10, Section 1, Article 4, which states that the kicking team is not allowed to recover the ball unless it has travelled 10 yards and touched the ground. The latter did not occur and Indianapolis should have been penalized 15 yards for interfering with the Bucs' right to catch the ball.
Following the infraction, Tampa Bay would have taken over at the Colts' 27- yard line.
Pereira said the play was not subject to review under the instant-replay rule.
The St. Petersburg Times quotes NFL director of officiating Mike Pereira as saying the error was not one of judgment, but rather a lack of knowledge of the rule book.
With just over 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Tampa Bay leading 35-21, Indianapolis' Mike Vanderjagt attempted an onside kick that was caught in the air by Colts safety Idrees Bashir at the Indianapolis 42-yard line. The Colts retained possession and proceeded to drive 58 yards for a touchdown to pull within seven.
Indianapolis eventually tied the score in the final minute and won in overtime.
Pereira said the officiating crew erred in not knowing Rule 10, Section 1, Article 4, which states that the kicking team is not allowed to recover the ball unless it has travelled 10 yards and touched the ground. The latter did not occur and Indianapolis should have been penalized 15 yards for interfering with the Bucs' right to catch the ball.
Following the infraction, Tampa Bay would have taken over at the Colts' 27- yard line.
Pereira said the play was not subject to review under the instant-replay rule.
