ESPN
Refs nearly screwed the Houston Texans in their playoff game against the Bills but thankfully a mysterious ref came down from out of nowhere and saved the day.
To open the third quarter of Saturday’s Bills-Texans game, Texans kickoff returner tossed the ball at a ref in the end zone when he felt that he had given up on the play. Unfortunately the ref didn’t call the play dead and the Bills picked up the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
asdfghjkl, at least they reconsidered pic.twitter.com/zG9UTqCCwi
— Vikings Blogger (@firstandskol) January 4, 2020
That ref moved away from that ball like a woman during a wedding bouquet toss who isn’t ready to commit. pic.twitter.com/LBGF5aphPM
— THE™ Jessi Davin (@jessithebuckeye) January 4, 2020
Didn't see what happened on the touchback in the end zone but even if you don't down it, tossing the ball to the official or dropping the ball intentionally ends the play. You are deemed to have given yourself up.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) January 4, 2020
That’s when a ref wearing a black coat appeared and talked to the refs on the field to change the call.
https://twitter.com/FTBeard11/status/1213601494869540865
Where was Mr. black coat ref at last years NFCCG? pic.twitter.com/UaxMZTH47W
— Kenton Fisher (@YentonFish17) January 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/The_Real_Joe_Lo/status/1213599865680355328
Update: Apparently the black coat refs are alternate refs but it’s still unclear why the alternate ref would be on the field talking to the lead officials about changing a call.
Alternate line judge Mike Steinkerchner (working as a K-ball coordinator) ran in to discuss the "runner giving up" ruling
— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) January 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/Nick_Buckley_/status/1213600192995483650
So the 4 alternate refs are allowed to come in and help make a call? Where is that all season? The NFL is so clueless
— Chad Nock (@ChadNock) January 4, 2020