NFL admits Ed Hochuli erred on key penalty against 49ers

Yahoo Sports ^ | Dec. 15, 2014 | Ben Rohrbach

[Michael.SF.]

On a third-and-5 early in the fourth quarter, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson couldn't connect with rookie wide receiver Paul Richardson, but a roughing the passer penalty against 49ers linebacker Nick Moody bailed out Seattle. Instead of kicking a field goal to remain ahead by one score, the defending Super Bowl champions received a first down and scored a touchdown to go up 17-7 two plays later.

[morphing libertarian]

Get ready to lose a bunch of refs who have successful careers

[lepton]

I think they should ditch the part time aspect of the refs, and make it a full-time profession.

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That was one of the things the union was fighting on a few years ago...to not have that happen. Not only to not be required to be full-time, but to block an expansion in the numbers of crews.

[Jeff Chandler]

I can’t watch 49ers games any more because the officials are so consistently biased in the calls against them.

I am not a 49s fan and frankly watch very little football any more; I just happened to see that one game and that was my observation, too. The 49s got screwed on the calls.

[kevkrom]

I am always being accused of whining, but NFL referees are terrible. A few years ago they had a strike (or lock out or whatever) and the NFL brought in replacements. Everyone bitched about the replacements, as if the regulars were good or something. One play in a game can change the outcome, and one bad call can make the same difference.

Yes, I remember that. The broadcasters were all pro-union, making every mistake made by the replacements into an indictment against using them. Of course, once the "regular" refs returned, each ball call is just, well, part of the game, doncha know?

[al_c]

All I heard today on sports talk radio was that bad call completely changed the momentum of the game and that it deflated and demoralized the 49’s.

Something a well coached team should be able to rise above.