The replacement referee who made the controversial touchdown call that allowed the Seattle Seahawks to defeat the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football last month says he stands by that call.
Appearing on NBC’s “Today” show, Lance Easley said the official standing next to him and who signaled a stoppage of play was not signaling an interception.
“He didn’t signal touchback, he signaled ‘stop clock,’ which in his opinion would give us time to discuss it. However, it was my call because it was in my primary area. I had to bring that play all the way to the ground and take the whole play, “ said Easley.
“Today” host Matt Lauer told Easley every sports writer he talked to said it was a terrible call.
“Well, until they change the rule, I can’t do anything about the call,” said Easley.
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Easley said he wished the players would have batted the ball out of bounds, thereby avoiding the controversy.
He also said he does not believe that call was the reason the NFL reached an agreement with its regular referees to end the lockout.
“I think (the lockout) was pretty much resolved before that issue,’’ Easley said. “It kind of was an exclamation point on the whole deal. The controversy (was) on a play that’s never happened in the history of the NFL. You can go back to the archives. You will not find that play.’’
Easley, who makes his living as a bank vice-president, had never been an official above the junior college level.
