Jimmy Graham is convinced he did not commit a penalty on the Saints’ Hail Mary attempt on the last play of regulation against the 49ers on Sunday.
Graham caught what would have been a game-winning touchdown, but he was flagged for offensive pass interference after pushing off to make the catch.
“It was definitely not a push-off,” Graham said after the game, via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I’m running down the field telling myself, ‘Whatever you do, don’t push off.’ It’s interesting how guys grab me everywhere on the field and I put literally two fingers on somebody and they make that kind of call.”
Graham also believes there is usually more leeway for contact on Hail Mary plays since there are so many players bunched up, but the officials did not let this one go. Nor should they have.
Graham definitely pushed off and pass interference was without a doubt the right call. Graham is just bitter that his team lost in overtime 27-24. Had they pulled the game out, you wouldn’t be hearing this from him.
Look at this – arms extended, creating separation, that’s what I call a push-off:
