On the CBS broadcast of Sunday’s Green Bay Packers game, rules expert Gene Steratore had a rule completely wrong. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs wrestled away a ball from Patrick Surtain and both players had simultaneous possession. Streatore said that he thought that Surtain had two hands on the ball and both feet down which meant possession. Fans were quick to point out that this is incorrect and the refs made the correct call on the field. Streatore apologized today for being wrong.
Gene Steratore Apologizes For Green Bay Packers Game Call
If only we could get this kind of statement from an actual referee. Streatore took to social media and said this.
“No matter what you do, owning up and taking accountability is how you get better. My interpretation of the play in (Packers-Broncos) was incorrect. I overthought it and just missed it. As a ref (whether grade school or pro), you learn the most from the <5% of calls that you miss,”
After looking into the rule, Streatore determined that he had missed the call. He was adamant on the broadcast that Surtain should have been awarded the interception but after the fact, he realized his mistake. I for one applaud him for issuing the apology.
Good For Him
He didn’t have to do this. People spout garbage on television all the time. He could have taken the bashing on social media and then been right back on a broadcast next week with no consequences. The fact that he took the time to set the record straight and confirm the call is great. There likely are some selfish motives as having a rules expert who doesn’t know the rules is not a great look. However, I still think it was something that he didn’t have to do but did anyway.
Gene Streatore inadvertently apologized to the Green Bay Packers fans. This is in complete contrast to the Denver Broncos who still seem convinced that it was an interception. The Packers will be back in action next week against their division rivals the Minnesota Vikings.
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1 Comment
It’s a shame he didn’t say HOW he got it wrong.
His reasoning did seem sound, and I felt that if that was the case the NFL needed to change the rules about dual possession so that the feet coming down don’t matter.
Curious that he didn’t express how he overthought it and what the error was.