Nov 17 2008
NFL Mistake: Steelers Non-Touchdown Costs Gamblers $32 Million
In yesterday’s game between Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers, the NFL referees made a call that had a big impact on Las Vegas. Referees make calls all the time that have an impact on Vegas, but this one was different. To understand, start by watching the video of the play:
I saw this live. The Chargers were desperate for a last-second score to try and win the game so they pitched the ball around trying to find an open player. The Steelers Troy Polamalu snared one of those throws and ran it back for a touchdown. The clock showed all zeros and the game appeared to be over. Next thing you know, the referees were on the field reviewing the play and, as the video shows, they took the touchdown away. Here is the story from the Chicago Tribune:
On first-and-10 from San Diego’s 21 with 5 seconds remaining, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw a short pass to LaDainian Tomlinson over the middle for 3 yards. Tomlinson turned and made a handoff-type lateral to wide receiver Chris Chambers, who attempted to pitch the ball to a teammate only to have safety Troy Polamalu scoop it up and score from the 12.
Both teams left the field on what looked to be a game-ending play, but were called back by the officials for the extra-point attempt. At that point, the replay official called for a review.
After watching the play, [Referee Scott] Green initially announced the ruling on the field was upheld and the touchdown counted. But the officiating crew huddled again before the extra-point attempt and changed the call, deciding that an illegal forward pass should have ended the play.
Green, in a postgame interview with a pool reporter, said that call was errant.
“We should have let the play go through in the end, yes,” Green said.
Oops. Frankly, I was shocked to see that the would even review a play like this. The game was over and the call on the field was a touchdown. Why would you need to review this play? In the end, it didn’t have any impact on the results of the game. Oh wait, there were millions of dollars at stake in Vegas:
The call didn’t affect the outcome of the game but it has received attention in part because it kept the Steelers from covering the five-point spread on the game. According to one online estimate, by RJ Bell of Pregame.com, approximately $66 million had been wagered worldwide on the Steelers, compared to about $34 million on the Chargers.
That extra Steelers touchdown would have cost Vegas $32 million more had it counted. Steeler fans gamblers across the country are no doubt screaming in rage this morning. One blown call that had no impact on the outcome of the game and still cost millions of dollars. Why would this call be reversed.
Makes you wonder about the purity of sport when you look at the bottom line on this one.
