As it turns out, it WAS a touchdown for Troy Polamalu, but it’ll never show up that way in the history books. Fortunately, this error didn’t change the outcome of the game. However, it messed up a lot of gamblers and fantasy players, and could possibly affect the playoff picture under certain scenarios.
The problem is that if ANY forward pass touches the ground, the play is dead. The officials simply got confused about which pass was which.
The little flip pass from LaDanian Tomlinson to Chris Chambers was an illegal forward pass, but was handled cleanly by Chambers. When Chambers tried to lateral again, the ball hit the ground. However, because that pass went backwards, the ball was still live and it was legal for Polamalu to pick it up and score.
There still should have been a penalty on the Chargers for the illegal forward pass from Tomlinson, which the Steelers could decline so they could keep the touchdown. That’s what happened initially. After that, referee Scott Green changed his mind (got confused, etc) and things got a little weird.
As a result of this mess, the NFL is looking at making some slight tweaks to the replay system. With the new rules, officials will be allowed to re-review a play if they think they need to. This new system could be in place in time for the playoffs.
I dont care about the gambling- it’s the INTEGRITY OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE that is at stake.
When Referee Scott Green’s crew makes the calls SO ONE-SIDED to the outcome of 13 to 1 against Pittsburgh, then REMOVES A CLEAR TD from the score AFTER THE GAME…. it’s a big stain on the integrity of the League and those Referees who are empowered to officiate it.
AFTER the replay review, Green stated on national television that the score stands, he then RAISED HIS ARMS IN THE AIR to signal TD, then said there was NO NEED for the extra point try, the game is over. Then he awkwardly adjusted his hat and walked away. Then the telecast went into the closing credits.
Then during the highlights, we find out that the score WAS NOT AWARDED.
I’m not saying Green and his crew made money on the game- BUT IT DAM SURE LOOKS LIKE THEY DID.
Award the TD to Troy, award the points to Pittsburgh in case they need them for the playoff tiebreaker, and RESTORE SOME INTEGRITY to the National Football League and it’s referees by RIGHTING this wrong.
I know people who dont even follow football who are talking about how corrupt the refs are, how they are betting on games and they site THIS GAME as proof.
If the League DOESNT AWARD THE POINTS to the player and the Steelers, the NFL needs to reimburse Sean Payton’s fine back in September for implying that the referees aren’t fair.
Scott Green CHANGING THE SCORE after he announced the game was over PROVES Sean Payton WAS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!
Ref Scott Green needs to be investigated for his role in adjusting the gambling point spread.
The NFL has lost all respect and value when they dont fix what they KNOW they messed up.
Its another sad day under the Goodell regime.
I have said for years that all pro sports are corrupt and I don’t believe in betting on anything nor did I have anything riding on the outcome of that game. But that game in Pittsbutg was so ovious that it stunk to the high heavens. Then the NFL has the gaul to say that that referee (Scott Green ) just made a mistake. Who do you think you are trying to fool. As for integrity there isn’t any in the NFL period end of story. It sure looks like someone made something on the outcome of the game.
Question: So why doesn’t the NFL change the record book, restore the points and the stats and fix this debacle?
Answer: Vegas.
Observation: Isn’t it hypocritical for the NFL to make the Rooneys depart with the gambling ties of one of thier owners while the League itself is in bed with Vegas?
Outcome: Shame on the Goodell/Green conspiracy.
Scott Green’s crew shows without a doubt how CORRUPT the NFL is.
He took away 2 Steeler TD’s in the last 22 seconds of the game just to beat the spread.
If they don’t restore Polamalu’s TD and Pittsburgh’s points…
NO MORE BUYING LICENSED MERCHANDISE.
NO MORE DONATING TO NFL CHARITIES.
NO MORE TICKET PURCHASES.
If this is how corrupt they are, we no longer will be a part of it.
I’ll go if the tickets are free.. otherwise I’ll watch it on TV. Pass it on.
Since each team is required to publish an injury report so Vegas can set the odds, it looks like now they’re going to have to publish WHICH REFEREE CREW is going to be calling the games, too!
I wonder who Scott Green’s crew is calling/picking this week?
Why doesn’t the NFL just give them the TD and change the score in the books?
Now that the water has passed under the bridge and most of the dust has settled on this game… the NFL needs to award the TD to Polamalu and award the points to Pittsburgh.
IT MATTERS.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
The NFL does announce who is going to ref a game, that’s so the gambling industry can sway them much as the mob did for Al Capone and the juries he faced. I only hope the game this weekend is officiated fairly. That will be the first one on record this season. The refs have corrupted the game.
Now that the season is over, the superbowl is done and everyone has gone home, the NFL should award Polomalu the TD Scott Green took from him AFTER the SD-PIT game was announced to be over.
$66 million is a big swing but Vegas wont care now.
Make it right and give Polomalu his score.