The New Orleans Saints suffered a very difficult loss in Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, and the impact of the loss showed in Sean Payton’s postgame press conference.
One major controversy in the game came on a fake punt play, in which Saints receiver Tre’Quan Smith was clearly held by Tarvarius Moore of the 49ers. However, pass interference cannot be called on a punt play, which meant no penalty was called — and no challenge was allowed.
OH MY GOD!!! THIS LOOKED JUST LIKE THE RAMS-SAINTS PLAY FROM LAST YEAR'S NFCCG!!
Saint fans might fight the refs after this game lmao pic.twitter.com/CFxnANT4B5
— Decaf Metcalf (@FTBeard11) December 8, 2019
That left Payton furious. When asked about it after the game, he immediately shut down all questions about officiating.
Sean Payton: “I don’t want to answer ONE officiating question today.”
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) December 8, 2019
Payton said this because I specifically asked why the fake punt wasn’t a holding call since fans wanted to know that, wasn’t something he threw out unprompted. He’s understandably frustrated overall today, didn’t want to get into that https://t.co/1CepoOa7MW
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) December 8, 2019
That call didn’t cost the Saints the game — they gave up 46 points and failed to get off the field late in the fourth quarter on a key 4th and 2 play.
Given the team’s history with pass interference calls, it’s easy to see why he just wouldn’t entertain the conversation after a difficult defeat.
