Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor saved the Seahawks on Monday night when he forced a Calvin Johnson fumble on the 1-yard line. The ball rolled toward the back of the end zone, where Seahawks linebacker KJ Wright batted the ball out of bounds to give the Seahawks a touchback and possession of the football. The Seahawks then burned the remaining time off the clock.
Yet the ball should have never gone back to the Seahawks. Instead, the ball should have been awarded to the Lions inside the 1-yard line. Yet, due to an error in officiating, the ball was given to the Seahawks, costing the Lions a chance at their first win.
Calvin Johnson For The Win?? KAM CHANCELLOR SAYS NO! What. A. Play. #DETvsSEA http://t.co/GKHSR6aXrA
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2015
Shortly after the game, ESPN's Gerry Austin, a former NFL official of 25 years, explained that Wright intentionally batted the ball out of the end zone. And because it was clearly intentional, the ball should have been awarded back to the Lions.
Watch this! The @NFL refs literally just cost the Lions a game according to Gerry Austin! pic.twitter.com/kkKNthd36s
— Dan Worthington (@danWorthington) October 6, 2015
Here's a screenshot of the rule from the NFL rulebook.
The rulebook goes onto explain that a 10-yard penalty would also be assessed. So, the Lions would've had the ball inside the 1-yard line.
After the game, ESPN's crew of analysts on location -- former NFL players Steve Young, Ray Lewis, and Trent Dilfer -- all seemed shocked by the rule. And really, the only explanation would be that the official in the end zone also wasn't aware of the rule.
Because the play clearly unfolded right in front of him.
Back judge looking right at it too…. pic.twitter.com/hv197CkTE8
— Sean Wagner-McGough (@seanjwagner) October 6, 2015
Immediately after the game, the NFL's head of officiating, Dean Blandino, admitted that the referees made an error and that the Lions should have retained possession of the football. He also explained that the play was not reviewable, even though it was a turnover.
Furthermore, Blandino denied that the official didn't know the rule. Instead, he claimed the official looking at the play didn't think it was "overt."
Blandino: “Judgment call on the field. Back judge felt it wasn’t overt. That’s why he didn’t call it on the field."
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 6, 2015
After the game, even Wright admitted that he intentionally batted the ball out of play.
KJ Wright said he batted the ball out. Didn't want to take a chance diving on it. He didn't know the rule
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 6, 2015
Regardless, instead of the Lions having the ball just inches away from the end zone, the Seahawks escaped.
