It may go down as the straw that finally broke the camel's back and settled the referee lockout. It also might go down as the most bizarre ending in recent NFL history.
The final play in Seattle's improbable 14-12 win over Green Bay involved an offensive pass interference that wasn't called, a last second grab of desperation for a wide receiver, and a wrong call from the referees that might come back to haunt the Packers.
Following a weekend that saw NFL coaches and players boil over with frustration at the replacement officals, the last play of Monday Night Football may become the defining moment of the referee lockout.
"Don't ask me a question about the officials," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy told the Associated Press. "I've never seen anything like that in all my years in football. I know it's been a wild weekend in the NFL and I guess we're part of it now," he said.
Trailing 12-7 with time for one last play, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tossed a desperation pass to the back left corner of the end zone into a group of five Green Bay Packers and two receivers, including Golden Tate.
Tate shoved cornerback Sam Shields out of the way as Green Bay's M.D. Jennings went up for the ball and appeared to catch it, and then stuck his arm at the ball in desperation as the two came down in the end zone. The two wrestled on the ground before the referees, players and coaches converged in the end zone, waiting for a ruling.
The replacement referees called it a touchdown, claiming Tate had possession, but replays clearly showed that Jennings cradled the ball and all Tate had on it was one arm by the time he came down.
"We both had possession of it. I don't even know the rule but I guess the tie goes to the receiver," Tate said.
But the call wasn't even the end of it.
The Packers stormed off the field and the Seahawks were celebrating; television reporters were giving interviews, but there was still an extra point to kick. By NFL rules the Seahawks had to attempt the extra point. Ten minutes later the two teams got back on the field and officially ended one of the strangest games fans will ever see.
"I was just trying to keep possession of the ball. The guy who was fighting me for it, he's strong. I was just trying to hold onto it until our guys pulled them off of me," Tate said. "I didn't know if they called touchdown, interception, incompletion. I didn't know what was going on. Couldn't hear anything and I just tried to keep fighting for the ball."
Seattle improved to 2-1 and won its second straight game after dismantling the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday.
"From what I understood from the officials it was a simultaneous catch. Tie goes to the runner. Good call," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.
Following the game, referee Wayne Elliot said the play was ruled simultaneous catch, which was confirmed by the replay review.
"They both possessed it," Elliott said.
"I was just trying to keep possession of the ball. The guy who was fighting me for it, he's strong. I was just trying to hold onto it until our guys pulled them off of me," Tate said. "I didn't know if they called touchdown, interception, incompletion. I didn't know what was going on. Couldn't hear anything and I just tried to keep fighting for the ball."
The Packers were less convinced.
"Just watching in the back room, I think if you asked Golden Tate to take a lie detector test and ask him did he catch that ball or did M.D. catch that ball, M.D. caught that," Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings said. "It was clear as day ... at least that is what my eyes saw."
The Packers appeared to have the game in hand after stopping the Seahawks on fourth down with two minutes left in the game. Green Bay ran out the clock as much as they could and punted the ball back to Seattle with 46 seconds left in the game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson drove the Seahawks down the field at a quick pace, working with no timeouts. He completed a 22 yard pass to Sidney Rice and then made an attempt to hit Tate in the end zone that was knocked away. Wilson was incomplete on the next two plays before heaving the last second pass towards Tate and Jennings.
Tate also caught a 41-yard touchdown in the second quarter that gave Seattle a 7-0 lead. Wilson didn't have gaudy numbers, passing for only 130 yards, but he completed passes when it counted, including the final strike.
"I just ran my route on the backside. Wilson came back and wanted to give me one more chance, especially after I dropped the first one and I just competed," Tate said. "I make sure I practice on high balls and catching balls at the highest point. Thankfully I came down with it."
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked eight times in the first half and was frustrated after the game.
"It was awful. Just look at the replay. And then the fact that it was reviewed, it was awful," he said. "That's all I'm going to say about it. We shouldn't have been in that position."
With the loss the Packers dropped to 1-2 and lost its first road opener in six years. Rodgers was shut out of the end zone and finished with 223 yards on 26-of-39 passing.
The Internet and Twitter exploded at the end of the game with reaction from fans, current players and former NFL stars.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said: "I've been saying give the refs a break but that TD call was ridicules. How do you miss that? Pop Warner refs would have gotten that right."
Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, who tweeted "These games are a joke," while NBA MVP LeBron James tweeted "I simply just LOVE the NFL to much to see these mistakes. I'm sick like I just played for the Packers."
Others included Arizona Cardinals tackle Darnell Dockett, who said: "This is what the NFL has come down to, &yet they tell you to respect the shield! Lol. But they'll try to fine us for everything thing we do."
Tate was asked after the game if he actually got his hands on the ball.
"I think so. ... Oh, well maybe he (Jennings) did. But I took it from him," Tate said.
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