The Seattle Seahawks might remain bitter about their loss to the St. Louis Rams Sunday, but the NFL reiterated this week that the result will stand.
NFL Director of Officiating Mike Pereira said on the NFL Network on Monday night that the Seahawks have no recourse involving a key play in which receiver Bobby Engram tripped over back judge Greg Steed.
The play came near the St. Louis goal line with 37 seconds remaining in a 27-22 loss to the Rams. Matt Hasselbeck’s pass eventually fell incomplete after Steed and Engram got tangled up.
“It’s an unfortunate incident, and I don’t think Steed’s out of position,” Pereira said on the network’s “NFL Total Access” show. “He’s turning to his left to get out of the way, and unfortunately trips over his own feet and goes down in front of Engram and knocks him down.
“I could show you a hundred plays this year from where the umpire has gotten in the way of a receiver and either bumped off a defender or bumped off an offensive guy. We don’t like to see it, but young Mr. Steed was not out of position when he started to move to his left to get clear.”
Several Seahawks players, and coach Mike Holmgren, believed that Steed was out of position on the play.
“The ref needs to get out of the way, especially in a tough game like this,” tight end Itula Mili said immediately after the game. “He’s got to get out of the way. I mean, we’re trying to make a play. We’re trying to win.”
The frustration carried over to Monday, when the tripping play was again a hot subject.
“I’ve seen Bobby make plays like that,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. “I’ve seen guys drop that ball too.
“Our game wasn’t won or lost on that play. I’m not getting all hung up on that play. I’m not blaming anyone; I’m not blaming the official. We had opportunities earlier in that game to put it away, and we didn’t. It’s unfortunate, obviously, but that’s football.”
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