We might have ourselves the NFL’s version of the Zapruder film.
Sunday’s matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will likely be remembered for a controversial challenge that may or may not have been made in time. The red flag in question came courtesy of Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who wanted officials to take a look at what was first deemed an incompletion . . .
While there will be at least some folks who’ll argue that Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble was interfered with, the interception itself is not up for debate. Broncos safety Devon Key clearly got his hands under the ball right before it hits the turf.
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What is up for debate is if Payton’s challenge, which was acknowledged by the referees after the next play was snapped and completed.
Following the initial incompletion ruling, the Panthers dialed up a rush for running back Chuba Hubbard—who was stopped at the goal line. It was only then, after the run was whistled dead, that the refs picked up on the challenge.
NFL vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth would defend the process to Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer. Here was Butterworth’s explanation when asked about the timeline of the sequence:
“Replay can get involved to make sure that the head coach throws his challenge flag prior to the next snap. We were actually able to use angles to show that the flag was out prior to the ball being snapped, and so we permitted the challenge.”
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Well, some fresh evidence has surfaced—thanks to @TacosTweets on Twitter/X and @mega_potato on Reddit—and it might just contradict that statement. Take a look at Payton around the 20-yard line—back and to the left of the clip . . .
By the looks of the video, the flag does not hit the ground prior to the snap. But does Payton’s attempt to throw the flag count?
Per the NFL rulebook:
The head coach or head coach’s pregame challenge designee can initiate a challenge by throwing a red flag onto the field of play before the next legal snap or kick.
If the throwing motion is recognized, then it’s a very, very close call.
Either way, the reversal turned the tide of the contest. What could have been an eight-point lead for the Panthers flipped into an eventual 13-0 run in the 26-21 win for the Broncos.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Fan video may contradict NFL’s ruling on controversial challenge from Panthers’ loss to Broncos
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
