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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
Sport
Patrick Finley

NFL explains why it overturned Allen Robinson’s TD catch

Bears receiver Allen Robinson pleads his case Sunday. | Getty

ATLANTA — Nick Foles’ first touchdown as the Bears quarterback Sunday counted for maybe three minutes.

On third-and-6 from the 21 in the third quarter, Foles lofted a pass deep down the right sideline to Allen Robinson. He wrestled with Darqueze Denard for the ball as he landed in the end zone, and the cornerback had the football in his hands when he stood up.

The play was called a touchdown on the field, but it was reviewed and overturned.

Al Riveron, the NFL’s senior vice president of officiating, said in a pool report that Robinson didn’t complete the process of the catch — which is to have control of the ball with two feet or another body part on the ground, and then to make a football move.

“Since the process of the catch is not over, the defender still has a right to the ball,” he said.

Riveron said the replay review met the basis for an overturn, which is to have “clear and obvious visual evidence.”

Robinson disagreed.

“I think it was [B.S] to take away my touchdown,” he said.” Simple ... being in this league seven years now, you know when you have possession of the ball, you touch down in the endzone, you hit the ground and maintain possession, for somebody to roll over and gain possession, you know what I’m saying, based on leverage, on thinking that the play was over.”

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