posted by Zebra Man on Nov 29
On November 29th, 1998, the Patriots were down 21 to 17 to the Buffalo Bills. Driving to win the game, on fourth down, Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe throws the ball to receiver Shawn Jefferson. The catch is made…out of bounds. However, referees give him the catch!
Immediately following, on the next play, Bills safety Henry Jones is called for pass interference in the end zone with no time on the clock for getting too close to Patriots receiver Terry Glenn. No interference was detected in the replay.
The Patriots score the touchdown to win the game. The owner of the Bills, Ralph Wilson, is fined $50,000 for daring to complain about the poor quality of the officiating.
GoPats.com: What Comes Around…
NYTimes: Wilson’s Comments Rile Tagliabue
Box Score Bills/Patriots Week 13 1998
posted by Zebra Man on Nov 27
Thanksgiving Day in Detroit on November 27th, 1998 saw referee Phil Luckett toss a coin into the air to determine overtime possession between the Steelers and Lions. Steelers captain, Jerome Bettis, calls ‘tails’. Luckett hears ‘heads’ instead. The coin lands on tails and the Lions take the ball and win the game.
The NFL quickly makes changes to coin toss rules to make captains choose heads or tails before the coin toss takes place.
Click Here for an image of the Coin Toss Folly
Tails, They Lost
NYTimes: Coin Controversy
SI: Lions Savor Victory
Box Score Lions/Steelers Week 13 1998
posted by Zebra Man on Nov 15
With a chance to force overtime on November 15th, 1998, the Arizona Cardinals were within a touchdown of the Dallas Cowboys on the last play of the game. With four seconds remaining on the clock on fourth and goal from the Dallas four yard line, Cardinal quarterback Jake Plummer sent a high pass to receiver Rob Moore in the end zone.
Before the ball could get there, Cowboys cornerback Kevin Smith slammed into Moore. Despite there being referees in position to make the call, no pass interference call is made.
Kevin Smith says, “I’m sure they thought it was interference, but it doesn’t matter.” The NFL later admits the error.
Click here for an image of the offending play
Cowboys Defeat Cardinals
NYTimes: Dallas Hangs On, Barely
Box Score Cardinals/Cowboys Week 11 1998
