Ed Hochuli, you blew the game (no pun intended).
Ed Hochuli, one of the premier officials in the NFL changed the outcome of division rivals San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. Jay Cutler rolled out from the 1 yard line, cocked back to throw, and lossed the ball… The whistle blew, and the arm came forward. San Diego linebacker Tim Dobbins picked up the ball and fell out of bounce.
Following the blown call, the Broncos scored to come within 1 point, and opted to go for the 2 point conversion with 24 seconds remaining in the game. Mike Shanahan made one of the ballsiest decisions in sports history. I can not in my memory compare this decision to go for the win to any other scenario. I guess he figured he deserved to lose the game, so what the hell… The Broncos successfully converted and sent a lightning bolt to the heart of the Chargers.
“I can’t say that the ref cheated us because that’s a fine,” Phillips wrote. “I can’t say that the Broncos didn’t win that game because that’s being a sore loser. I can’t say that it was a mistake that the replay machine wasn’t working in the first [quarter] cause that would be a lie. . . . As a competitor it should never come down to the last play, but it did and we let it slip away.”
-Shaun Philips on YardBarker.com
Ed, you totally screwed the Chargers over, but I will give you credit that you were man enough to admit it….
All those zebra-striped muscles must cloud his decision making.
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I would have to agree. I know it’s hard to make these calls but I can’t tell you how disappointed I am with Ed. This game could make the difference!