NFL fans sent into meltdown by ‘insane’ referee’s call that nearly cost Chiefs victory over the Colts
A controversial refereeing call at the end of Sunday Night Football has divided the internet after an Indianapolis Colts fumble was overturned, giving the team hope against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Down 30-27 in overtime, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones uncorked a deep pass for receiver Laquon Treadwell which the receiver bobbled and then caught as Chiefs safety L’Jarius Sneed attempted to touch him down.
Referees initially called Treadwell as a live ball carrier, with the receiver getting up to continue the play. But disaster struck when the ball was punched out by Nohl Williams, with the Chiefs defense recovering the football.
Fans in Arrowhead Stadium went wild, believing they had won the game on the fumble as referees went to the monitor to see if Sneed managed to touch Treadwell as the receiver hit the ground – which would negate the fumble and rule him down by contact.
After a lengthy review, the officials overturned the fumble call – ruling that Sneed had touched the receiver on the hip at the exact moment Treadwell had control of the ball.
The decision led to wild reactions from fans in the stadium and game commentators Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth.
Tirico, a veteran of sports broadcasting, simply said, ‘Absolutely insane! Wow!’
His partner, Collinsworth, chimed in: ‘I’ve never been a part of a game where anything like that happened to decide the game. Wow!’
Social media was split down the middle as to whether the call was correct or not.
‘This is clearly a fumble,’ said one user on X.
Another posted, ‘Didn’t have control until after the catch. Fumble. Game over. Refs clearly anti chiefs.’
Others said, ‘Contact for sure.’
One user who agreed said, ‘Easiest overturn ever calling that a fumble is crazy.’
What may have been more unbelievable than the call is how it did not have any effect on the outcome of the game whatsoever.
After being on the right side of the officials’ decision, the Colts stood 17 yards away from an improbable upset over the Chiefs.
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