That quote wasn't in reference to the Fail Mary play, unless I misunderstood the full context of the quote of what you have omitted to cite.
Lance Easley is the one who signaled Touchdown and I haven't heard him back off that at all. The other official signaled incomplete or something and then I think he changed to what Easley signaled. Then the two officials informed the Referee of what happened.
I'm confused here. If the referee went under the hood, why was it reviewed upstairs by the regular replay review people who confirmed the ruling on the field?
Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool
The replay officials signal the ref to review it.
The ref does the actual review.
It is the Refs final responsibility to make any call. The side judge, back judge or umpire's job is to signal the play. The Ref makes the ruling. He will also over rule or confirm based on the replay.
In college, the replay official tells the Ref what to rule. Not so in the NFL.
It isn't Easley's call to make. He signaled TD. But he doesn't rule it a TD. That is Elliotts job.
The guy responsible for the call and the review said the wrong call was made.
Edit. Quote from the article on NFL.com. Pressed about how he now viewed the play, Elliott (who was not in the end zone and did not make the initial call) momentarily hedged before admitting, "I'd probably call interception.
"I learned a rule by screwing up the rule."
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.