The NFL’s rules make clear that instant replay can only be used under certain specific circumstances, and using replay outside those circumstances is prohibited. Former NFL head of officiating Mike Pereira says referees are breaking the rules to get additional replay help.
Pereira says the replay assistants sometimes use the wireless communications devices to give the referees information, even on judgment calls where the refs aren’t supposed to rely on replay.
“They’re never going to come out and admit it because it’s not allowed in the rules,” Pereira told ESPN. “I get that. And I’m not against the notion of trying to get as many calls right as you can, but my only concern is if the rulebook doesn’t allow you to do it -- to me, there is a conflict. I get the side of trying to avoid controversy, but I’d rather the rulebook allow it first.”
As an example, Pereira pointed out a play on Monday night when a Ravens runner was initially spotted as being down at the 23-yard line, only to have referee Ed Hochuli come in a moment later and change the spot to the 27-yard line. Replays showed the 27 was the correct spot, but how could Hochuli have known that, when the play wasn’t challenged? Pereira thinks the replay assistant in the booth upstairs told Hochuli to fix the spot.
“It was the replay official who did it,” Pereira said. “They have gotten so involved in the game since they started using this communication system [in 2014]. The official on the field made an error, and boom, they make that change. What do you think happened? I talk to replay officials. They’re involved in almost everything now. If that’s the tack you’re going to take, as far as I’m concerned, that’s fine. But everyone has to be aware of it. There has been all of this talk of adding an eighth official, but really, they already have one. He’s in the booth.”
Pereira makes a good point: If the replay assistant is improving the quality of the officiating, that’s a good thing. But why are they doing it in violation of league rules? If the replay assistants can help the referees get the call right without having to go through a lengthy challenge delay, then the NFL ought to change the rules and make that a standard part of NFL officiating.
