Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, recently addressed the controversy surrounding a trick play touchdown involving Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The play was initially ruled a touchdown but was later nullified due to an illegal shift penalty. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell claimed the decision “came from New York,” implying league office interference. However, Vincent disputed this account, stating that the league office did not assist officials on the call [6].

The Play

The play in question involved Goff catching a pass from running back David Montgomery. The officials initially signaled a touchdown, but after a delay and discussion, they threw a flag for an illegal shift penalty, nullifying the score. Campbell expressed frustration with the call, suggesting that the league office had influenced the decision.

Vincent’s Explanation

Vincent explained that the delay in throwing the flag was due to the on-field officials conferring with each other. He compared the process to intentional grounding calls, where multiple officials must confirm different aspects of the rule before throwing a flag. Vincent emphasized that the NFL’s GameDay Central, which provides real-time support to officials, did not make the call or instruct the officials to throw a flag [6].

Key Points

– No League Office Interference: Vincent stated that the league office did not assist officials on the call, contradicting Campbell’s implication.

– On-Field Official’s Decision: The call was made by the on-field officials, who conferred with each other before throwing the flag.

– GameDay Central’s Role: GameDay Central did not make the call or instruct the officials to throw a flag.

Implications

The controversy surrounding the call highlights the ongoing debate about the role of the league office in officiating. Campbell’s comments reflect a broader concern about transparency and consistency in officiating, while Vincent’s explanation aims to maintain the integrity of the system.

Conclusion

The NFL’s response to Campbell’s claims demonstrates the league’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its officiating process. Vincent’s explanation provides clarity on how calls are made and who is responsible, which should help to alleviate concerns about league office interference [6].