NFL Referees Should Be Fired For Making These Ridiculous Calls

Darren - October 14, 2022

NFL Referees Should Be Fired For Making These Ridiculous Calls

Darren - October 14, 2022

Holy Roller (1978)

“I fumbled it on purpose,” Ken Stabler admitted after the Raiders defeated the Chargers. “Yes, I was trying to fumble.” Unfortunately, Chargers fans didn’t appreciate his honesty because they lost the game. But the ‘Holy Roller’ became one of the most infamous plays in NFL history.

Technically, this wasn’t an officiating error because the rules didn’t prevent this at the time. However, the NFL rewrote the book after this to prevent it from happening again. It still deserves a place on this list because of the shady nature of the play and the drama it created (via Pro Football HOF).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

No Interference (2014)

It means a lot to Detroit fans when their team reaches the playoffs because it doesn’t happen very often. They had a decent roster in 2014 when they faced the Cowboys in the Wild Card Round. However, they suffered a cruel loss against the most popular team in the U.S. in controversial circumstances.

Detroit should have had a first down after pass interference from Anthony Hitchens. It was blatant to everybody in the stadium and watching on TV except for the officials. Even the NFL admitted that they got it wrong after the game but it was too late for the long-suffering Lions (via SBNation).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Field Goal Fail (1965)

These days it’s almost impossible for referees to misidentify a field goal because of all the technology involved. They have access to video replays and other modes that make it easy for them to see. But they weren’t around in 1965 when the Colts suffered a controversial loss to the Packers in the Western Conference playoff final.

Don Chandler’s 22-yard field goal went wide-right but the referee didn’t think so as he confirmed the score. This justifiably enraged Don Shula but there was nothing that he could do about it. This leveled the game before the Packers proceeded to win (via Green Bay.com).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Fake Fumble (2016)

Cleveland played the Redskins in 2016 but they couldn’t catch a break if their lives depended on it. One incredible moment saw them recover a fumble but Washington still got the ball. This was even though Duke Johnson made a recovery for the Browns (via CBS Sports).

The officials didn’t think so and awarded possession to the Redskins. It was an egregious decision that infuriated the Cleveland fanbase because they had a dreadful season. In the end, the officials moved on with their lives but this had a direct effect on the Browns’ season.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

No Liability (2021)

NFL officials have a tough job and carry a lot of pressure but they don’t suffer many consequences for bad decisions. Many fans called for the referee to receive a suspension after one of the most ridiculous decisions of the 2021 season. The Jets played the Bengals when the official called Mike Hilton for unnecessary roughness.

It was ludicrous because Hilton took the brunt of the hit, not the Jets’ running back. But somehow the official thought that it was correct to punish Hilton and Cincinnati. These moments can change the outcome of an entire season so they have a responsibility to make the right call (via The Spun).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

No Clipping (2003)

Denver fans still consider this to be one of the most ridiculous mistakes they’ve encountered. Everybody knows that referees have a tough job but nobody wants to endure a poor call like this one. Clipping is a common offense but it’s obvious when it happens (via Bleacher Report).

There were at least two clipping incidents before Dante Hall’s punt return but the officials didn’t think so. It didn’t matter that the video replay made this more obvious than bad plastic surgery. In the end, the Broncos suffered the consequences but it wasn’t fair.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Phantom Touchdown (1998)

Imagine thinking that a player’s helmet was the ball. That’s exactly the mistake that a referee made during the Jets’ game against Seattle in 1998. Vinny Testaverde scored the game-winning touchdown but it was very controversial. That’s because the ball never crossed the line but the officials made a key error.

This decisive moment went down as one of the most ridiculous decisions ever. The five-yard sneak secured the victory for New York but, amazingly, they allowed it to stand. Testaverde didn’t do anything wrong but he was never going to complain about it (via NFL.com).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Renfro’s Touchdown (1980)

It’s safe to say that it was a matter of when the Oilers departed Houston, not if. However, one of the most ridiculous decisions ever didn’t help lengthen their stay in Texas. Dan Pastorini found Mike Renfro for a game-tying touchdown against the Steelers (via 247 Sports).

The referee decided that Renfro was out of bounds when he made the catch but this wasn’t true. In his defense, this was before the age of video replay so he didn’t have this option to fall back on. But that didn’t impress Bum Phillips who blew up and argued with the officials.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Thanksgiving Coin Fail (1998)

The Steelers met the Lions on Thanksgiving Day in a game that fans would never forget. However, this wasn’t for a good reason because referee Phil Luckett botched the overtime coin toss. Jerome Bettis called ‘Tails’ but Luckett thought he said ‘heads.’ Then Detroit received the ball and won the game with a field goal.

“What makes me mad is when you fight and scratch for 60 minutes out there, and the game is decided by guys who wear striped shirts,” Steelers coach Bill Cowher said (via SBNation). “There’s something wrong about that.” Most people would agree with this perspective because it wasn’t fair.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

The Unbeaten Dolphins (1972)

Miami had an incredible undefeated season in 1972 but we don’t talk about the fine margins that made this happen. One game against the Vikings saw them receive a controversial call that won them the game. If the referee didn’t fail at that moment we’d never talked about this Dolphins’ team.

Bob Lurtesma received a roughing the pass call after he tackled Bob Griese. However, viewers protested that it was fair and that he didn’t make excessive contact. Unfortunately for Lurtesma, it didn’t matter because the referee stuck by his decision, and the Dolphins won the game (via NFL.com).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Music City Miracle (2000)

There were three seconds left on the clock when the Titans defeated the Bills after a 75-yard touchdown in the Wild Card round. They called it the ‘Music City Miracle’ because it took place in Nashville but the moment wasn’t without controversy. That’s because many Buffalo fans still believe it shouldn’t have happened.

They point to an illegal trick-play kickoff return that saw the Titans score the decisive touchdown. It was a devastating moment for the Bills and saw the franchise spiral out of control. They were a powerhouse in the ’90s but deteriorated and missed the playoffs for many years after this (via Democrat and Chronicle).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Missed Interference (2019)

Bourbon Street saw a lot of action after the NFC Championship Game in 2019 after one of the most ridiculous decisions in NFL history. The Saints played the Rams in the showpiece event with a Super Bowl spot awaiting the winner. Drew Brees threw a pass in the fourth quarter toward TommyLee Lewis but an L.A. player took him out.

However, the seven officials present didn’t think it deserved a pass interference penalty and the Saints lost the game. There were at least two potential penalties in the build-up but the Saints didn’t receive any. This traumatized New Orleans for the next couple of seasons and it’s not difficult to see why (via CBS Sports).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

The “Fail Mary” (2012)

There is a significant difference in quality between NFL officials and their college counterparts. The league found this out to its cost in 2012 when the former group went on strike. Then the NFL brought in a bunch of replacement referees who made many ridiculous decisions that hurt teams (via The Ringer).

The Packers came off on the wrong end of a terrible call against Seattle. Russell Wilson launched a Hail Mary pass toward the endzone as the Seahawks trailed. But Golden Tate and M.D. Jennings both caught the ball. Meanwhile, Tate illegally disrupted a Green Bay player but the referee awarded him the touchdown anyway.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

What’s A Catch? (2015)

After two years, the NFL changed its mind about one of the most controversial decisions of the past decade. Dez Bryant infamously caught the ball and maintained possession for the Cowboys. But the referee disagreed and said that he lost control in a costly moment for Dallas (via NBC Sports).

This immediately ignited an intense debate about what constitutes a successful catch. Eventually, the NFL clarified the rules because they didn’t want to see more ridiculous decisions. It didn’t help Bryant or his franchise but it was important for wide receivers around the league.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Super Bowl XL

This remains one of the most shambolic sporting events in U.S. history. Fans expect at least one poor call in every game because human error exists. But the number of ridiculous decisions in Super Bowl XL was beyond belief. Many fans accused the NFL of fixing the game because it was insane.

Ben Roethlisberger’s touchdown in the second quarter was one of the most controversial moments. Then there was a holding penalty that could have gone either way but the Seahawks suffered. Seattle fans resented the officials because they feel they lost a massive opportunity (via Sports Illustrated).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Orlando Brown’s Eye

Technically this wasn’t a bad call but it deserves a place on this list. The offensive tackle played for the Cleveland Browns against the Jaguars in 1999. During the game, the referee threw the penalty marker toward the area where the offense took place. But somehow it hit Brown in the eye and injured him (via Bleacher Report).

He reacted aggressively and shoved referee Jeff Triplette. The NFL hit him with a suspension for this action but it didn’t matter. That’s because Brown required surgeries to repair the damage to his eye and missed the next couple of seasons. Then the NFL changed one of their ridiculous decisions to make the game safer.

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Don’t Hurt Tom! (2022)

This is one of several bad calls from the same weekend that made headlines. However, the fact that Tom Brady was involved had an even bigger impact. Referee Jerome Boger made one of the most ridiculous decisions of his long and controversial career. He cited Grady Jarrett for roughing the passer after an obviously clean sack on the quarterback.

Context is important because this came in the aftermath of Tua Tagovailoa’s horrendous on-field seizure. But that doesn’t excuse Boger’s awful call or silence the conspiracy theorists. Many fans think that Brady receives extensive favoritism but this was egregious (via The Guardian).

<< Previous

NFL Referees Should Be Fired For Making These Ridiculous Calls