NFL braces for chaotic scenario that could make the Packers relive an infamous moment from the past
The NFL is opening the door for a new Fail Mary.
It’s hard to believe, but the NFL can do the replacement officials thing all over again. For the Green Bay Packers, this is particularly annoying. Back in 2012, the most recent time there was a referee lockout, the Packers lost an infamous game to the Seattle Seahawks at the then called CenturyLink Field because of the worst call you’ll ever see.
It’s the Fail Mary storyline all over again
According to Kevin Seifert from ESPN, “the NFL is laying groundwork for hiring replacement officials this season if the league is unable to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association.”
The current CBA is due to expire at the end of May. Fourteen years ago, the NFL hired replacement officials for the preseason and the first three weeks of the regular season, until that absurd moment happened on “Monday Night Football” and forced the owners to concede.
The Packers were leading 12-7 until the final play of the game. Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson threw a Hail Mary, which was clearly intercepted by Packers safety M.D. Jennings. However, the two officials who were close to the play signaled different calls — one indicated a touchdown catch for wide receiver Golden Tate.
After some discussion, the replacement refs called simultaneous possession, resulting in a Seahawks game-winning touchdown.
How the process works now
While there isn’t any type of agreement between the league and its officials, the NFL will build a list with 150 referees from small colleges. They will have an onboarding process in April and a four-day clinic in May. If there’s no agreement by training camp, the replacement refs will go on visits with teams before the regular season games.
Back in 2012, the NFL hired referees from lower-level colleges and minor professional leagues, including the Arena Football League — at that time, there wasn’t a stronger spring league like the current version of the UFL.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier this month that “frustration is mounting” among owners in regards to the negotiation with the NFL Referees Association.
It doesn’t matter to fans how the NFL will solve this situation. But creating a scenario where anything close to the Fail Mary happens again is totally unacceptable — and the Packers know this better than anyone.