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Twitter erupts over NFL replacement refs' call

By Kamal Wallace and Anna Gonzalez
updated 2:07 PM EDT, Tue September 25, 2012
NEED TO KNOW
  • Seattle Seahawks win 14-12 over Green Bay Packers after controversial play
  • Many calling for return of regular NFL referees
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers after a controversial finish on Monday.

If you're a fan of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks or had Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate on your fantasy football team, you're very happy about the outcome on Monday Night Football. However, if you're a fan of the Green Bay Packers or a fan of the NFL in general, you're upset that the replacement referees may have cost them the game.

The controversial play at the end of the game involved Tate's last-second game-winning touchdown against the Packers. The debate centers on whether Tate pushed Green Bay cornerback Sam Shields, which could have drawn an offensive pass interference penalty, and whether Tate actually caught the ball in the end zone. Replays show Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings catching the ball and coming down with it with Tate having his arm around Jennings on the football.

There was also confusion on the field as one referee ruled the play a touchdown and the other a touchback. The play was reviewed and later upheld, giving the Seahawks a 14-12 win. The NFL released a statement Tuesday, supporting the decision not to overturn the on-field ruling after the instant replay review. 

After the game, Twitter was abuzz calling for the NFL to get the real referees back on the field. The league and its regular officials have been involved in a labor dispute.

From the time the game ended after midnight to early Tuesday morning, NFL-related topics dominated the Twitterverse, including hashtags involving replacement referees and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. #Thingsbetterthanreplacementrefs include topics like "my body fat percentage," "the odds of Rick Ross beating Usain Bolt in 100M" and "Helen Keller's hearing."

Green Bay players went to Twitter to vent after Monday's game. One player, Clay Matthews, even tweeted out Goodell's phone number.

Other NFL players expressed their displeasure with the referees and Monday's game.

Even celebrities off the field weighed in on the controversial call.

 

Tell us what you think. Did you see the game? Should the NFL bring back the regular referees? Are the replacement referees being unfairly singled out? Share your thoughts with us.

 

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