Shiv Telegram Media: NFL supports referee Brad Allens ruling on Detroit Lions failed 2-point play
2 min readTitle: NFL Blames Detroit Lions for Reporting Fiasco in Game Against Dallas Cowboys
In a recent turn of events, the NFL is pointing fingers at the Detroit Lions for a reporting mishap that cost them a critical two-point conversion in their game against the Dallas Cowboys. The league has taken action by sending a memo to all teams, reminding them of the proper procedures for reporting as an eligible lineman.
Accompanying the memo was a video that shed light on the issue at hand. The footage featured two clips of offensive tackle Dan Skipper raising his arm to alert referee Brad Allen of his eligibility. In both instances, Skipper lifted his left arm first, followed by his right arm, as he sprinted towards Allen. Interestingly, Allen seemed to be looking in Skipper’s direction while Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell approached from another angle.
According to Walt Anderson, the NFL senior vice president of officiating training, it is crucial for players to physically signal their eligibility to the referee and inform them of their intention to be an eligible receiver. Although Allen did announce Skipper as an eligible receiver on the two-point play, which had initially been designed for Decker, the play was soon nullified due to a penalty. Unfortunately for the Lions, they failed on two subsequent attempts to convert.
Amidst the controversy, Skipper claimed that he did not communicate with the official during the play. On the other hand, Coach Dan Campbell admitted that the Lions’ strategy involved confusing the Cowboys by sending multiple linemen towards Allen. Campbell, however, denied witnessing Skipper wiping his numbers to indicate eligibility. Emphasizing the importance of eligibility, the coach made it clear that their intentions had nothing to do with the referee’s actions.
The ultimate goal of the play, as revealed by Campbell, was to create the illusion of three different eligible receivers for the defensive team. Though it was a creative strategy, its execution stumbled due to the confusion surrounding Skipper’s reporting of eligibility.
As the NFL continues to investigate the incident, the blame has firmly landed on the Detroit Lions. The league’s memo serves as a reminder to all teams to adhere to the proper reporting procedures, avoiding any further mishaps that could potentially impact crucial moments in future games.
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