Shawn Hochuli and his crew were an absolute dumpster fire on Thursday night during a game between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
There were nearly 20 flags thrown throughout the game with 12 of those being accepted in total. Among them was a roughing the passer call against Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams.
Buy Giants Tickets𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗘: This is roughing the passer by #Giants DL Leonard Williams. pic.twitter.com/DCf39cYB9Q
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 22, 2023
Hochuli argued that Williams came down with the full weight of his body on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy which, by definition, is a violation of the rules. But in this particular instance, it was a bang-bang play and Williams had no chance to fall off to one side.
However, it’s not as if Williams didn’t try to abide by the impossible rule. He clearly puts his left knee down to alleviate some of the impact but that didn’t suffice. It was a 15-yard penalty, it extended San Francisco’s drive and it ultimately led to a touchdown.
What makes that call more egregious is that 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams later avoided ejection after punching Giants defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson in the face.
Trent Williams just punched A'Shawn Williams in the face lmao pic.twitter.com/TgaxaZJ5fX
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) September 22, 2023
By rule, that’s an automatic ejection and clearly, Hochuli & Co. abide by the NFL rules and the letter of the law without question, right? That’s the reason Leonard Williams was flagged.
But no. There were instead offsetting penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct and Williams was allowed to remain in the game. Although the officiating crew saw the Leonard Williams “penalty” clear as day, they somehow missed Trent Williams’ close fist, as they explained after the game.
“When we have a flag thrown on the field for unnecessary roughness, members of the officiating department are able to review available video, Rule 19, to determine if there is a flagrant action that should result in a disqualification,” NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson said after the game. “We ended up looking at the video we had available to us, and we just didn’t see anything that rose to the level of flagrant, which is the standard that we have to apply to disqualify the player.”
There were other astonishingly bad or missed calls throughout the game and at one point, Giants head coach Drian Daboll completely lost his cool. But given an opportunity to criticize the referees during a Zoom call on Friday, he took the high road instead.
“Those guys have got a tough job to do out there and that’s really all I’ve got to say on that,” Daboll told reporters.
Daboll wouldn’t even criticize the officials for missing a clear and extremely dirty play by 49ers offensive lineman Jake Brendel, who yanked Giants defensive lineman D.J. Davidson down by his arm UFC-style, resulting in what appeared to be a serious injury.
Dirty play by @49ers Jake Brendel to injure @Giants DJ Davidson dragging him to the ground after the play. #ThursdayNightFootball #trash pic.twitter.com/EI7ODBC4de
— Jason (@goldeneagleFB) September 22, 2023
“It was a physical game. A lot of emotions, so hopefully he’ll be okay,” Daboll said.
While Daboll refused to criticize the officials, plenty of others did it for him on social media.
Someone on the giants defense breathes:
Shawn Hochuli: pic.twitter.com/rsfeRCgH1V
— Don (@_DonParmesan) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli is to the NFL what Angel Hernandez is to MLB
— Kyle Tucker’s Batting Gloves (@TxCrue22) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli is the NFL version of Antony Taylor
— Nick Tata (@NTata910) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli Sucks.
— Amir Howard (@Mirmir72) September 22, 2023
The millions who are watching tonight’s game are VERY EXCITED to see Shawn Hochuli and his crew aim tonight!
What is better then watching refs completely take over a game. pic.twitter.com/iDEEshEeiG
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 22, 2023
Generally…. Not a good sign.
Offensive Lineman, and Referees…
2 positions you DO NOT want to be trending in.
Shawn Hochuli and crew having a tough, far too influential night at the office pic.twitter.com/GF9xfu2RBz
— Chris Manno (@Mann_O_Steel17) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli’s crew has to be the most flag-happy in the league. This is ridiculous tonight. #TNF #NFL
— Zach Hacker (@TheRealHack) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli every time he gets to say "Those penalties offset": pic.twitter.com/08stHJx7AK
— Chris Hilling (@cityonahilling) September 22, 2023
I feel ya, coach. 🫣
That’s enough Shawn Hochuli for me. (Click 📺 ❌)pic.twitter.com/aqsszVTmW0
— Tyler Ivens (@TylerIvens) September 22, 2023
Someone needs to tell Shawn Hochuli that he'll never be Ed and that's okay.
— DBrags *insert blue checkmark here* (@DBSportsYT) September 22, 2023
Must be #NFL Shawn Hochuli crew pic.twitter.com/vSsB2tBdvN
— Don Fowler (@donf0615) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli whenever anything happens pic.twitter.com/guWW3oGcY9
— Dan Campbell Burner (@yeizzo1) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli is an absolute embarrassment.
— Joe Barton (@josephbartacus) September 22, 2023
Obviously, everyone tuned in tonight for Shawn Hochuli. That’s what this game’s really about.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli will not accept a supporting role
— brick hands bersin (@ProctrDoctr) September 22, 2023
There is nothing worse than an Shawn Hochuli national TV game… there is a flag every 3 seconds and he and his crew make the game about them… enough man.
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) September 22, 2023
Shawn Hochuli LIVES for moments like these
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 22, 2023
I am with you Dabol. Nonsense
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 22, 2023
The Leo Williams roughing call is why there has to be review on those calls. I thought he drove him into ground but looking at it again Leo didn’t leave his feet. It is what it is, but make it reviewable
— The Giant Insider Podcast and Newspaper (@GiantInsider) September 22, 2023
That was a garbage call against Leonard Williams. Watching it live, there was nothing there.
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) September 22, 2023
Gients stop 49ers short of the sticks. But Leonard Williams gets called for a personal foul, roughing the passer. That's a brutal call.
And Adoree' Jackson has to come off the field with training staff. He's hurting.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 22, 2023
