As Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tossed a long pass into the end zone on 4th and 10 with only a few seconds remaining on the clock, the millions of viewers watched intently. As the players fell to the ground and fought over the ball until the referee signaled for a Seahawks touchdown, the viewers became confused. Finally, as the viewers watched the instant replay of Packer’s Safety M.D. Jennings intercepting the pass, they became outraged.
Although the instant replay clearly showed Jennings making the catch, and not Tate, the referees and NFL decided to stand by the decision, and rule it a touchdown. This botched call confirmed what many people were already thinking, it was time to bring back the old refs.
In June, a lockout for NFL referees began. The officials of the NFL were upset with their pension and retirement benefits, so they went on strike and refused to officiate the games in the 2012 season until a deal was reached with the NFL.
Instead of submitting to the demands of the officials, the NFL hired replacements for them; however, week after week, the replacements upset players and coaches with controversial calls. With the game changing call against Green Bay, the controversy erupted. People became outraged, players began making public statements against the replacement officials, and fans began demanding the old refs be brought back.
The NFL realized they had to do something. They reached a deal with the old officials, and the lockout ended. The regular officials returned to referee the Cleveland and Baltimore game. The fans met them with a standing ovation.
