Fans in Seattle and New Orleans are still probably pretty upset with the refs for not calling pass interference on a huge play in the final seconds of the 49ers’ win over the Seahawks on Sunday night.
But here’s the thing – the more you look at the play the more it seems like it was a good no call. The league explained Sunday night that they did review the play and didn’t think a penalty should have been called because the receiver (Seahawks TE Jacob Hollister) initiated contact with the defender (49ers LB Fred Warner) who simply braced himself for the contact and had some contact of his own, which is allowable. The pass sailed past Hollister and the no flag was thrown.
Here’s the play:
NBC’s Tony Dungy was one of many to criticize the refs for the no-call:
And 49ers CB Richard Sherman correctly shot him down:
What is a defender supposed to do in that situation, allow himself to be pushed away by a receiver so they can then make an easy catch? That’s total nonsense. What happened on that play on Sunday night was perfectly legal and acceptable. Defenders need to be on an even playing field with the offense, which was the case on this play. If anything, it feels like Hollister was fishing for a PI call and that shouldn’t be rewarded.
Good for Sherman for speaking out on this, as he knows a thing or two about playing great defense.
