Quote
JamesJM
but the NFL will see that as one major screw up.
NFL says it was right call . . .
PFWA Pool Reporter Joe Reedy Interview with Referee Ronald Torbert
Super Bowl LVI – Los Angeles Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Question: On the long touchdown pass to Tee Higgins, it looked like there could have been offensive pass interference. Just wondering what your crew saw and why that wasn’t called?
Torbert: “The crew did not see any contact that warranted pass interference. It was a contested catch, and the crew didn’t see any contact that rose to the level of pass interference.”
Question: So, both sides were going at it pretty good, so, no call?
Torbert: “Well, the crew didn’t see contact that rose to the level of offensive pass interference.”
Question: It looked on the replay as if Higgins had the facemask of Jalen Ramsey. Was an official not in a position to spot that?
Torbert: “Our rule is that if there is a grab and twist and turn, there’s enough for a foul. If there’s just a rake across the facemask, where there’s not a twist and turn even if there’s a grab, there is no foul. The officials did not see any contact that rose to the level of a foul for a 15-yard facemask.”
Question: So, they did not see a twist and turn?
Torbert: “Yes, that’s correct.”
Question: On the second down on the late drive [by Los Angeles], pass intended for [Van] Jefferson, was pass interference not called because the pass was tipped?
Torbert: “No, pass interference was not called because the contact did not occur more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage. By rule, there’s no pass interference.”
