Two years later, it’s still hard to believe officials could botch a call so badly.
It was the last time the Packers and Seahawks, who are set to open the season tonight in Seattle, played one another.
With NFL officials still locked out amid a labor dispute and replacement officials committing a handful of blunders throughout the season’s first month, the replacement refs in the Packers-Seahawks game all but guaranteed an end to the lockout when they incorrectly ruled that Seahawks receiver Golden Tate had caught a touchdown pass on a last-second Hail Mary from Russell Wilson.
With the Packers leading 12-7 in the final seconds, Wilson heaved up a bomb from the Green Bay 40-yard-line. Video clearly showed the Packers’ M.D. Jennings come down with the ball before Seahawks wideout Golden Tate got his hands on it.
The replacement refs inexplicably ruled the play a touchdown, setting off a stream of outrage. Not surprisingly, the NFL had no choice but to strike a deal with the officials’ union, and the lockout ended two days later. You can watch the full, maddening 8-minute video of the episode above.
