NFL Tweaks Rules on Instant Replay

One official will look under hood, another will be stenographer
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 21, 2008 11:11 AM CST
NFL Tweaks Rules on Instant Replay
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, left, has a word with field judge Doug Rosenbaum (67) during a game against the San Diego Chargers.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The NFL is modifying its instant-replay policy after yet another botched call in a game, the New York Daily News reports. This much stays the same: Only one official will go under the hood to look at the replay. But another official will tag along with him, stand nearby, and act as a sort of official stenographer. He'll record the decision, the ball placement, and any other details. The idea is to cut down on confusion.

The league thinks such a policy could have prevented the blown call at the end of last Sunday's Steelers-Chargers game. Referee Scott Green looked at a replay and ruled that Pittsburgh's defense recovered a fumble for a touchdown. But he then reversed his call after consulting with his crew. "They talked him into such a confused state, he got screwed up," said an NFL official. "There were too many cooks, too much information, a sensory overload."

(More NFL stories.)

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