A fantastic Super Bowl XLIII ended with a head-scratcher of a play, and Arizona is not exactly thrilled about it. After falling behind 27-23, the Cardinals had moved to Pittsburgh's 44-yard-line in the closing seconds when Kurt Warner dropped back to pass. Steeler LaMarr Woodley came around the edge and hit Warner's hand as he was cocking back to throw, knocking the ball loose. Pittsburgh recovered the fumble, then took a knee for the win. But why was Warner's turnover not reviewed?
"I was really surprised on that one because I was definitely moving my arm forward to throw the ball," Warner said. "I thought I'd almost gotten the ball off, so yeah, it does surprise you that in that kind of situation - five seconds to go to decide the Super Bowl - you would think it was something they'd do. But maybe somebody saw it clearly."On the play itself, Warner's arm, after being hit by Woodley, clearly moved forward -- as did the ball, which traveled several yards downfield before Pittsburgh recovered. There appeared to be at least some question about whether or not Woodley had knocked the ball loose prior to Warner completing his throwing motion.
NBC showed several replays of the play, but it never went to an on-the-field replay because the video replay official deemed it clearly a fumble.
According to NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira, the replay official upstairs did see the play clearly.Woodley may have, at least, popped the ball free of Warner's complete control before he actually started to throw his pass. Still, the NBC replays were far from conclusive (meaning that it would've been hard to overturn), but at the moment the play occurred -- with just seconds left in the freakin' Super Bowl -- it seemed like a no-brainer to warrant further review.
"We confirmed it was a fumble," said Pereira. "The replay assistant in the replay booth saw it was clearly a fumble. The ball got knocked loose and was rolling in his hand before it started forward. He has to have total control."
Instead, the replay booth official took the decision into his own hands. It's hard to justify that decision, given the importance of the situation.
As for Warner, he played a great game, throwing for 377 yards and two touchdowns. Yet his night will be more remembered for his two turnovers: a 100-yard James Harrison interception return and the game-ending, controversial fumble.
Steelers Put on Super Show
Pittsburgh Steeler fans are dispersed by riot police in Pittsburgh's Southside, February 2, 2009, after the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl Forty Three. REUTERS/David DeNoma (UNITED STATES)
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An unidentified person is subdued by riot police in Pittsburgh's Southside, February 2, 2009, after the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl Forty Three. REUTERS/David DeNoma (UNITED STATES)
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This US Navy photograph obtained February 1, 2009 shows US Navy sailors aboard the USS Essex reacting while watching Super Bowl XLIII on February 2, 2009 in the South China Sea, several time zones ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Santonio Holmes caught a seven-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / US NAVY == GETTY OUT == (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
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U.S. soldiers, serving at Bagram airbase north of Kabul, watch the NFL Super Bowl football game early morning February 2, 2009. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN)
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U.S. soldiers, serving at Bagram airbase north of Kabul, watch the NFL Super Bowl football game early morning February 2, 2009. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN)
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With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (front) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
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With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (R) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (2nd-R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (C) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers kisses the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers kisses the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-02-2009 @ 4:35AM
beezinz said...
I smell B.S. It is completely absurd that the very questionable play that ended the entire NFL season and determined a champion was not even reviewed. The NFL, their officials, and the Steelers should be embarrassed.
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2-02-2009 @ 10:03AM
jklema said...
Steelers need not be embarrased for anything.
I remember a playoff game Steelers vs. Colts,
Polamalu clearly recovered a fumble that the officials later called no fumble. The Steelers were later apologized to for the bad call. Winning teams know how to overcome bad calls and do what it takes to win.
2-02-2009 @ 5:20AM
giant fan since 57 said...
Why should the Steelers be embarrassed? I'm sure they were simply relieved.
The refs should be a bit embarrassed though. They made some shakey calls, especially that phantom roughing the passer penalty that came at precisely the right time to keep their drive alive.
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2-02-2009 @ 6:37AM
Larry said...
How can you have so many officials and so many bad calls. It makes a joke of such a big game.
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2-02-2009 @ 7:24AM
BlueStarDude said...
RE: "so many officials and so many bad calls" -- happens pretty much every time the Steelers are in the Super Bowl.
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2-02-2009 @ 7:36AM
stf1958 said...
It was OBVIOUS from the replays that Warner did not have control of the ball when his arm moved forward.
However, an official review was not necessary, because it was clear from the live action that Warner lacked control of the ball. That's why they didn't review it.
All the replay did was confirm what we all saw.
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2-02-2009 @ 7:57AM
alcoholicaust said...
Moving your arm forward doesn't count if you don't have the ball in your hand. Blah blah blah the reffs cheated blah blah...the standard line when losers lose. Steelers made the plays when they needed to make the plays, and the Cardinals didn't stop them. Tell me one call, just one, that was in Pittsburghs favor, that affected the score of the game? Phantom roughing the passer? Last I checked, if a QB does not have the ball, you can't hit him. Did he hit him? Yes? Did he have the ball? No? NEXT!
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2-02-2009 @ 8:43PM
teej said...
"Last I checked, if a QB does not have the ball, you can't hit him. Did he hit him? Yes? Did he have the ball? No? NEXT!"
So, you're saying it should be roughing the passer? If you're saying he didn't have the ball and was hit, then it would be roughing the passer. It would be a similar call to the bullshit Adrian Wilson was called for falling into the place kicker.
You're dumb.
2-02-2009 @ 8:01AM
kward32570 said...
Oh no, not just when the Steelers play in the Super Bowl, but when Kurt plays..the Super Bowl against the Patriots when Kurt was with the Rams-lousy calls-or no calls..sometimes you just wonder..
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2-02-2009 @ 8:29AM
JOHN said...
The last play was a pretty crappy ending to a great game. The Steelers won, the league lost. That was some crappy officiiating all around. As for the last play, see rule 2. I think at a minimum they should have taken the time to get it right. In my opinion Warner was "moving his arm forward" with the intent to pass. The tuck rule is worse than this and is accepted... may not have changed the outcome of the game.
From the NFL rule book:
1. By interpretation, a pass begins when the passer -- with possession of ball -- starts to bring his hand forward. If ball strikes ground after this action has begun, play is ruled an incomplete pass. If passer loses control of ball prior to his bringing his hand forward, play is ruled a fumble.
2. When a passer is holding the ball to pass it forward, any intentional movement forward of his arm starts a forward pass. If a defensive player contacts the passer or the ball after forward movement begins, and the ball leaves the passer’s hand, a forward pass is ruled, regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player.
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2-02-2009 @ 1:30PM
Matt Snyder said...
So you're choosing to ignore the part where it says, "with possession of the ball?"
He wasn't moving his arm forward before the ball was knocked loose. It was the correct call.
2-02-2009 @ 8:58AM
armrob2k said...
if one remembers the Steelers vs Seahawks superbowl just a few years ago, it's easy to understand. a lot of questionnable calls from the refs that affected the outcome of the game.
The NFL is about ratings and profit. It made more sense to them to have a Steelers win. many calls were obviously wrong. The cardinals won when they challenged some of them, but they were so obviously wrong, I can't imagine why they were called in the first place.
I predict in just a couple years, we'll have players being paid to NOT score, to Drop passes or fumble on purpose. Some other sports already do that, the NFL will be joigning soon !
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2-02-2009 @ 9:39AM
nsanepup said...
Calls are part of the game. Steelers have benefited from questionable calls, and they have been penalized too. But no one talks about the questionable ones that penalize the winner, because they do not matter to the game.
Questional calls do not matter to the game for the losers either. This one would have just permitted a desparate team to make on very long Hail Mary pass to the end zone against the number one defense in football. At that distance, before Warner would have a reciever in the end zone he would probably been victim of a blitz.
I agree with the call. He did not have control and it was obvious enough to the replay official that they did not review it. But the fact is, the call did not cost the Cards the game. The Cardinals not scoring enough points did that. But losing is hard and the temptation is to find someone else to blame. Just don't make it some global conspiracy.
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2-02-2009 @ 9:59AM
traciessis said...
Everyone at my house thought he was throwing the ball forward when he lost it. It was a bad call in my opinion but if the Cardinals would have stopped the 100 yard football return off of the interception this play would not be in question.
That was crazy.
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2-04-2009 @ 11:42PM
ironcityeddie1 said...
Everybody at my house didn't see R.B. knee hit the ground, and that was a TD and a bad call. And what makes you think the out come after any given play still plays out the same way. What do you meane it wouldn't have mattered anyway... how do you know that. When the Steelers have calls going against them they get pissed off and elevate there play, like casey hampton bull rushing up the middle getting his first sack of the season on Baltimore after being called for a no hold, hold. Cards scoring on that play would of just pissed us off and we proably would have blown them out after that.
2-02-2009 @ 10:16AM
Brenda said...
I am not a Steelers nor Cardinals fan; however, I was appalled at the refs' bias against the Cardinals. It is pretty sad to have 2 challenges and both calls overturned, thus, giving the coach a 3rd challenge to use. I, personally, do not remember ever seeing that in a game. The problem was that the Cards could not challenge the call on Warner's hand moving forward or not. The Cardinals were quite capable of a Hail Mary pass and should have been given that opportunity!!!!!
The officiating this year has been atrocious in so many games I have seen, but for goodness sake, this was the Super Bowl.
The Cardinals have NOTHING to hang their heads over. They played an awesome game against the Steelers and the refs!!!!!!
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2-02-2009 @ 10:18AM
gatorsmannow said...
STEELERS WIN SAYS IT ALL....SO MANY STEELERS HATERS OUT THERE.........I SAY IT AGAIN,,,,,,,,,,,,,STEELERS WIN
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2-02-2009 @ 8:52PM
teej said...
"STEELER HATERS," like myself, hate the Steelers mainly because of their obnoxious, douche bag fans, such as yourself. one out of every 20 Steelers' fans is from PA or even WV.
2-02-2009 @ 10:42AM
Rob said...
Yes Warner's arm was moving forward..and the ball was loose before that happened..so the refs got the call RIGHT...Steeler haters get over it.. The Cards held the Steelers all nite and most of the holding calls were never made..One call goes against the Cards and people go on and on about it. Ball was FUMBLED... Get over it!!!! This was...one... if not the BEST Superbowl ever played by any teams. Steelers win number 6. Congratulations to the Steelers and coaching staff..
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2-02-2009 @ 11:54AM
raceechick said...
Why is it that everytime the Steelers win a game, win a championship, win the Super Bowl, there is ALWAYS a questionable call somewhere in the mix. I am neither a Steelers fan or a Cardinal fan but if we're going to sit for hours watching a game, year after year, can't the refs do it right? That's two Super Bowls for Rottenberger that ended with questionable calls by the refs!
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