On Sunday the Dallas Cowboys almost upset the favored Packers at Lambeau Field, where potential 2014 MVP Aaron Rodgers hasn't thrown an interception all season. Down 26-21 Tony Romo uncorked a long pass down the sideline that was hauled in by Dez Bryant, who leaped impossibly high for the grab.
Then, the referees took another look. According to a controversial rule Bryant cost himself the catch, and cost the Cowboys the game, by trying to turn his remarkable play into a touchdown.
While Bryant's feat was an athletic marvel, by rule he did not complete the play. The call is sure to leave a sour taste in Dallas Cowboys' fans mouths, but they can rest assured controversial calls have bitten other teams just as badly in the past.
Vinny Testaverde Scores Helmet TD, Wins AFC East (1998)
In 1998 the New York Jets won the division thanks to a blown call by the officials that eventually led to the instant replay rules that cost the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. On this particular play, for which SWN was unfortunately unable to procure video, Testaverde scrambled for the end zone and scored a go-ahead touchdown.
Replays showed he was down before getting in though, with nothing more than his helmet crossing the plane. Alas, no plays were reviewable back then.
Music City Miracle: AFC Wild Card Round (2000)
This was one of the most shocking plays of all time. With 16 seconds on the clock the Tennessee Titans needed a miracle, and then got one. Fullback Lorenzo Neal caught a short kickoff from the Bills, lateraled to tight end Frank Wycheck, who then threw the ball across the field to wide receiver Kevin Dyson. He took the ball 75 yards to the house for the win.
While Wycheck did rear back and throw, the referees ruled it was a lateral, and not a forward pass or a spot pass (illegal in the NFL).
Bert Emmanuel Rule: NFC Championship Game (2000)
Check out Emmanuel's non-catch here
On a key play during this championship game then-Bucs QB Shaun King hit wide receiver Bert Emmanuel for a diving 11-yard completion, only to have the play called back on replay because the ball hit the ground. Tampa Bay's drive stalled, and the St. Louis Rams went to the Super Bowl.
This rule was later reversed to allow the football to touch turf as long as the receiver never lost control of it. This seemed at play in Bryant's case, but he did lose control of the football briefly.
Tom Brady "Tuck Rule" Game (2002)
This game jump started the Tom Brady legacy in New England. In a snowy 2002 divisional playoff game against the Oakland Raiders Brady was strip-sacked by Oakland defensive back Charles Woodson for a turnover that would've ended the game, and finished off the Pats.
Instead, the "Tuck Rule," was invoked. The Tuck Rule stated that if a quarterback brought his arm forward to throw a pass, but changed his mind and did not throw it, if he's tucking the ball back near his body and the ball is knocked loose, it would not be ruled a fumble. This rule was actually repealed before last season.
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