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You won’t believe this, but after the spectacle caused by referee Gene Steratore using a folded up piece of paper to determine whether or not the Dallas Cowboys had earned a first down during Sunday night’s game versus Raiders, the NFL wants its officials to stop doing that.
The new ruling was handed down by NFL head of officiating Al Riveron, the same guy who contradicted himself when explaining why the go-ahead touchdown catch by Steelers tight end Jesse James was overturned (perhaps he didn’t have access to this handy chart).
The video is an explanation from @NFL SVP of Officiating Al Riveron on the reversal at the end of the #NEvsPIT game. pic.twitter.com/hm5EeoZTER
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) December 18, 2017
So, naturally, this being the NFL, it only makes sense that the league would once again contradict itself this week after earlier confirming to Pro Football Talk…
“…there’s “no prohibition” on using an index card, a sheet of paper or other object in the course of making their ruling. Steratore said he didn’t use the card to make the measurement, but as a “reaffirmation” of seeing the ball reaching the sticks for a first down.”
Apparently, now there is, because Al Riveron has spoken… again.
NFL head of officiating Al Riveron confirms he has told referees not to use paper to help them determine a first down spot, as Gene Steratore did on Sunday night during Cowboys-Raiders.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) December 21, 2017
NFL head of officiating Al Riveron confirmed today that he has told officials that that’s not the proper protocol for measuring a first down, and not to do it again.
“When he did bring out the piece of paper, that was very, very unusual. The last time I saw it done was about four or five years ago, also in an NFL game, and that’s not the norm. Gene made the decision strictly on visual affirmation that the ball made the line to gain,” Riveron said (via Pro Football Talk). “I will advise them not to use it again. I’ve already done that.”
So there you go.
Maybe next time we should just let the players decide like kids do on the playground. They certainly are not afraid to make a more convincing argument than Steratore did when they believe it to be so.
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