Mobile Version: mobile.altoonamirror.com
 
RSS:
Member Login: Email: Password:
Search: Local News Classified EZToUseBigBook Web
Local News  Obituaries  Business  Crime Center  Food Inspections  Editorials  Sports  Life  Community  Mirror Takes - Video  State News  Special Sections  Mirror Locator  Real Estate-Visual Tours  Jobs  TV Listings  Movies & More  Blogs  Submit Your News  PA Outdoor Times  Coupons  Mirror Moms  Things To Do


  • Scholastic Sports
  • Penn State
  • Sports Columns
  • Voice of the Fan
  • Multimedia
  • AP News & Sports
  • Running/Wellness Challenge
  • Circulation Info
  • Real Estate
  • Advertising Info
  • Customer Service
  • Contact Us
  • Online Extras
  • Affiliated Sites

Head referee Scott Green interview

By Buck Frank
POSTED: November 16, 2008
Advertisement

The following is the transcript of an interview head referee Scott Green gave to pool reporter Scott Brown following the Steelers' 11-10 victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday at Heinz Field.

On the final play of the game, the Chargers attempted a desperation play from their own 21-yard line. Quarterback Philip Rivers threw a short pass to LaDainian Tomlinson, who lateraled the ball to Chris Chambers, who then threw the ball backward. The Steelers' Troy Polamalu scooped up the ball and ran into the end zone for an apparent touchdown. After a replay review, the touchdown was nullified.

Reporter: "What happened on the final play of the game?'

Green: "There were several passes. The first pass was illegal, an illegal forward pass. The second pass was backwards. The rule that kills the play is if it hits the ground. There was some confusion on which illegal forward pass we were discussing, and it was decided that the illegal forward pass hit the ground and that would have killed the play, and there was no time remaining so that would end the game.'

Reporter: "The ball was dead once it hit the ground?'

Green: "Yes.'

Reporter: "What is the process of reviewing this?'

Green: "The normal review was a minute. You have a minute to look at it on the screen. The first pass was the one that was illegal, but it only kills the play if it hits the ground. That was incorrect to have killed that at that point. The ruling should have let the play go on. That's just the way that it played out. We believe the second pass was legal.'

Reporter: "So the play was ruled dead because the first pass hit the ground?'

Green: "That's what we ruled, but it didn't hit the ground because it was thrown forward. The rule is if he possesses it, you can let the play go on. If he drops it or it hits the ground, then you kill the play.'

Reporter: "So if the first pass didn't hit the ground, why was the play killed?'

Green: "We didn't kill it on the field. After discussion we decided there was some confusion over which pass we were talking about, and it was decided that it was the second pass that was illegal that did hit the ground, and therefore we killed the play there.'

Reporter: "But the second pass was legal?'

Green: "I know. The rule was misinterpreted.'

Reporter: "So it should have been a touchdown?'

Green: "We should have let the play go through in the end, yes. It was misinterpreted that instead of killing the play, we should have let the play go through.'

 
Share:
Facebook  MySpace  Digg  Stumble    Mixx  Fark  del.icio.us   LiveSpaces
 
Member Comments
View Comments: | Post a comment
No comments posted for this article.
You must first login before you can comment.
Existing Member Login
Not a Member?
Create a Member Account  
*Your email address:
*Password:
    Forgot Password?
  Remember my email address.
 
Local News  Obituaries  Business  Crime Center  Food Inspections  Editorials  Sports  Life  Community  Mirror Takes - Video  State News  Special Sections  Mirror Locator  Real Estate-Visual Tours  Jobs  TV Listings  Movies & More  Blogs  Submit Your News  PA Outdoor Times  Coupons  Mirror Moms  Things To Do