It’s not an easy job to be an NFL official. They’re tasked with monitoring so many moving components at incredible speeds, so calls are going to be missed. But at the same time, these are supposed to be the world’s best football officials, and the NFL should hold them to that standard.
J.J. Watt certainly thinks so.
Sunday night’s game between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants had its share of questionable calls. And before the Giants’ hopes were dashed on a last-play no-call, Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke was flagged for one of the softest roughing the passer penalties we’ll see all season.
This might be the worst roughing the passer call so far this season. pic.twitter.com/kuzrdgTaqW
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 16, 2023
From the replay, it was difficult to guess what the officials even thought happened there. Okereke didn’t go to Josh Allen’s head or neck. He didn’t drive him to the ground with his body weight. He didn’t hit him below the knees. All Okereke did was follow through at Allen’s arms. The contact wasn’t late. By all accounts, it should not have been a roughing penalty.
Watt — who had to navigate those rules his entire career — was baffled to see that call go against the Giants.
Lack of accountability for refs is infuriating for players because they don’t receive the same leniency.
Players get flagged, fined & can potentially win/lose games on erroneous calls.
Refs get “corrected” privately after the fact and “may” lose out on postseason opportunities. https://t.co/6BMvM4N7wZ
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 16, 2023
The lack of accountability isn’t just an NFL issue either. Officials across all of American professional sports are rarely disciplined for game-altering missed calls. NFL officials are part-time employees compared to leagues like MLB, NHL and NBA that employ full-time officials. It’s something that really should change, though, because enough is enough.
This was how Twitter reacted
The only way to resolve this is to take it out of their hands. Booth review all critical calls involving penalties. I don’t care if it drags games out to 3 1/2 or 4 hours. Quit letting their bonehead mistakes go uncorrected. It’s ruining the game. https://t.co/aoqaYfCy9c
— Dontay Atkinson (@DonAtkinsonNFL) October 16, 2023
What JJ said. Said forever that NFL needs fulltime officials https://t.co/X6ERmXp7oy
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 16, 2023
Personal fouls are game changing penalties, so they should be reviewable. https://t.co/Nb3Jdixd7l
— John Kriesel (@johnkriesel) October 16, 2023
Refs need to be held accountable with fines/suspensions https://t.co/Ja70cnAhEj
— BK (@Khanman23) October 16, 2023
He’s 100% right here. Absolutely spot on https://t.co/US6vWMi5tN
— Nick 🦬 (@_nck_cttrll_) October 16, 2023
100%
Tyreek Hill will be fined for doing a flip today and officials can harm the livelihoods of players and coaches by impacting games and you get fined for even criticizing them.
They get fined for nothing. https://t.co/LKFbQTuaSc
— Max Toscano (@maxtoscano1) October 16, 2023
Based JJ. Welcome 🤝 https://t.co/qET7R8In7J
— Drew Butler (@DrewButler) October 16, 2023
JJ a man of the people. https://t.co/RRaYVOncD4
— Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) October 16, 2023
Been saying this forever. While officiating isn’t easy, it shouldn’t be egregiously bad either. Need a review system. https://t.co/vSCYZTqbYJ
— J.R🙅🏻♂️ (@J_R_607) October 16, 2023
