Getty Image / Todd Olszewski
The NFL referees were at it again during Sunday Night Football. Many are still fuming over the missed penalties, however, the Washington Commanders are still upset about a penalty called on Terry McLaurin.
Brian Robinson would have scored a touchdown had the referee not thrown an absurd flag on McLaurin for not lining up on the line of scrimmage properly. Even though the Commanders’ receiver double-checked with the ref prior to the flag being thrown.
Matthew Berry shows the clip of the exchange between Terry McLaurin and the referee. It appears as though the ref tells him to move forward, which McLaurin does, then the ref gives him a nod of approval. Immediately after, that referee reaches for his flag and throws it in the air.
Terry McLaurin looks at the ref asking if he’s good – ref points back at McLaurin as of to indicate he’s good. McLaurin then gives a thumbs up to ref to acknowledge it. This “penalty” took a Brian Robinson TD off the board. Via @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/B86N6nsJsS
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) December 19, 2022
NFl refs are notoriously bad but this is just plain weird. Due to the fact this call took points off of the board, the Commanders are still fuming about the whole situation. Especially considering Terry McLaurin is adamant that the ref told him he was lined up.
Listen to Terry McLaurin explain that he heard the official tell him he was good, then the official threw a flagged for illegal formation. @wusa9 #HTTC pic.twitter.com/Rsvl6Cmcrh
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) December 19, 2022
Taylor Heinicke goes off on the referee too.
Taylor Heinicke is miffed at the penalty called against Terry McLaurin. “He gives the thumbs-up to Terry, what the f— is that?” he just said to himself at his locker.
Terry confirms that the ref OK’d his alignment before the snap. “I pride myself on paying attention to details”
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) December 19, 2022
Referees are so bad in the NFL we’re beginning to feel numb to bad calls. However, this one is so terrible that Terry McLaurin and the Commanders have every right to still be upset. Maybe the league will do something about it, as this specific penalty looks incredibly suspicious.