In an alternate reality, the Seattle Seahawks would have had to finish Super Bowl 60 without cornerback Josh Jobe.
New momentum from the NFL office has the league considering bringing more authority to replay review again. This time, it wouldn’t be to evaluate pass interference, but to create a penalty for a non-football penalty-worthy play that was not penalized.
In other words, when a team’s CB starts throwing punches at Stefon Diggs.
Two examples were given for folks to consider. Like a “hey, check out this obvious play!”
Both involved Seahawks.
NFL executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent, cited both Jobe’s unflagged punch on the sideline against Diggs, and the late-season play that saw Derick Hall ultimately suspended for stepping on Kevin Dotson.
The rule change hasn’t even been set to vote and is already fraught with controversy. This conversation is the league doubling down on their perspective of the the intent of play, which clearly and unequivocally is not the perspective of the team nor Hall.
Not only did the league issue a delayed suspension, but they’re now suggesting that a replay official could have phoned in and recommended a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike intent that is still debated. Whereas a forceful hit to the head area via Jobe is not up for debate, what happens at the line of scrimmage at the conclusion of a play is.
But I am sure this will go over well.