The National Football League says it supports the decision not to overturn the controversial touchdown call at the Packers-Seahawks game.
The Monday, September 24, 2012 game ended with a Hail Mary pass by Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson. Many say it appeared Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate and Green Bay Packers safety M.D. Jennings both went up for the ball.
The controversy surrounds which player came down with the ball. Immediately after the play, one official signaled “touchdown” and one official did not.
The NFL posted a statement on its website saying Tate shoved Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields, and that Tate should have been called for offensive pass interference. That penalty would have ended the game, and Green Bay would have won.
But the penalty was not called, and it’s not reviewable in instant replay.
The league agrees with the official call that Tate and Jennings simultaneously caught the ball in the end zone. Under NFL rules, the ball belongs to the offensive player – Tate. So, the touchdown call – which was not overturned in replay – stands.
