Richard Sherman has done a lot of things since last year's NFL playoffs. Just ask him.
NFL.com did, and Sherman said he recovered the controversial fumble Sunday in the St. Louis Rams' 28-26 upset of Sherman and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
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The Rams' Tre Mason took a handoff and ran for the game-clinching first down with just more than a minute remaining when he coughed up the football.
A major scramble ensued, and the referees never were fully able to determine who had the ball. They ruled that the Rams maintained possession, and St. Louis ran out the clock.
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Seahawks coach Pete Carroll asked for a review. Sherman said he had the ball.
"Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman told NFL Media's Steve Wyche after the game that he had possession of the late fumble by the Rams," NFL.com reported. :NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino explained after the game on Twitter that a player coming out of a pile with a loose ball is not evidence of a clear recovery. The replay officials need video proof of a clear recovery, and there were no shots of that. The ball was still loose when it went into the pile.
"Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was upset that the play was not reviewed, but Blandino said the replay officials in New York did in fact look at 'all the possible angles.' "
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas, who stripped Mason, told ESPN he believed Sherman had the ball.
"I stripped the ball and it was a big scuffle and I was just trying to help Sherm get the ball," Thomas said. "He had it but somehow ... I don't know."
Rams tight end Cory Hankey told ESPN that he recovered the ball. The NFL has restricted use of the video, but see the video at the ESPN link here.
The play capped a wild afternoon in which St. Louis used two of the greatest special teams play this season to seal the victory. The Rams scored a punt return when the return team faked out the Seattle coverage team by running toward the side opposite of where the punt went.
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The Rams then faced fourth-and-3 from their own 18 when they faked a punt and punter Johnny Hekker completed an 18-yard pass to Bennie Cunningham.
Even if the officials took the fumble away from Sherman, at least he still has his memories of last season.
Do you think officials acted correctly in awarding the St. Louis Rams the ball at the end of their upset victory over the Seattle Seahawks? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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