Remember the so-called Calvin Johnson rule? Apparently the officiating crew for Sunday’s game between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions does not subscribe to it.
Late in the first half, Golden Tate caught a ball in the end zone but did not maintain control of it for very long. It popped up into the air and was corralled by a Bears defender. The call on the field was an interception, since it was initially ruled that Tate did not control the ball for long enough to constitute a touchdown reception.
Shockingly, the call was reversed after review. Apparently the replay official felt that Tate maintained possession long enough and made a football move in the end zone.
Former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira did not agree with the ruling.
We've looked at that play 10 more times, and find it hard to believed based on the current guidelines that he was a runner #CHIvsDET
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) October 18, 2015
The NFL clearly needs to review what constitutes a catch. Back in 2010, the Lions lost a game against Chicago 19-14 after Calvin Johnson was robbed of a touchdown with 24 seconds left. Johnson clearly made a catch and took a few steps backwards with the ball, but as he landed on the ground, the ball came out. The TD was taken away and the Lions lost.
What was the difference between that play and the one Tate made? Not a whole lot. Another example of the same type of play was when a crucial catch was taken away from Dez Bryant in the playoffs last year. You can watch that play here.
Regardless of whether Tate made the play, the league needs to somehow find some consistency with rulings like this. There’s no reason that should have been overturned given some of the rulings we have seen with similar plays in the past.
