ESPN’s Kevin Seifert said the NFL is “laying groundwork for hiring replacement officials this season.” This wouldn’t be the first time the league did this. Back in 2012, the first three weeks of the regular season were refereed by part-timers. And who could forget the “Fail Mary” between the Packers and Seahawks?
Seifert reported the NFL is in the market for “150 mostly small college officials by the end of the weekend.” The training would take place through a four-day clinic in May. That’s right. The billion-dollar business will rely on a quick training circuit for people capable of controlling the game’s outcome.
NFLRA executive director Scott Green said the contingency plan raises two key issues:
The first is what Green believes would be an increased vulnerability to gamblers among replacement officials. The second, Green said, is the safety of players in games covered by officials who have not previously experienced the size and speed of the NFL game.
“Frankly,” Green said, “I’m surprised they would even consider it after 2012.”
The San Francisco 49ers being the guinea pigs in Melbourne with replacement refs against the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional game that will matter come season’s end. What could go wrong? We’re not there yet, but that could happen.
What’s the worst call ever against the 49ers?
That brings us to the article’s question. What’s the worst call ever against the 49ers? Nick Bosa would have a say in this.
The 49ers were trying to make the Super Bowl in 1983, but Ronnie Lott was called for a holding on 3rd and five from San Francisco’s 13. Washington was able to run out the clock and kick the go-ahead field goal. Lott was nowhere near the play. That may not have been the worst call in the game. Eric Wright, the 49ers’ cornerback at the time, was flagged for a pass interference call. After the game, head coach Bill Walsh said, “It was a ball a 10-foot-tall Boston Celtic couldn’t catch, let alone a receiver.”
Head coaches were not shy about criticizing officials back in the 80s.
We can’t talk about bad calls without mentioning the phantom roughing-the-passer call against New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Patrick Willis recovered the fumble, but the penalty gave the Saints the ball back.
In 2024, the refs let Seattle call back-to-back timeouts. Instead of 4th & 1, the Niners had to punt.
You can go on and on through each decade. You have options. What’s your answer?
