4 Worst Calls of Super Bowl Referee Bill Vinovich’s Career

The league has awarded Bill Vinovich with the honor of overseeing the officiating duties in Super Bowl LIV, much to the chagrin of those who watched the NFC Championship Game last season and saw the New Orleans Saints robbed by Vinovich's crew. Vinovich might be one of the better refs in the league, as they don't let any random Joe ref the Super Bowl, but he is far from perfect, as these calls will attest.

4. Baltimore-Denver 2012, Part I

Yeah, there was some hand-fighting early on this play, but there isn't enough to throw a flag. What's worse for the Broncos, Tony Carter didn't even force Tanden Doss out of bounds with his hands, as it looked like Doss was subtly guided out of bounds by Carter's excellent coverage. Even worse for the Broncos was the fact Flacco and Torrey Smith connected on a long touchdown just two plays later. This wasn't the last time Vinovich would show up in this game.

3. Baltimore-Denver 2012, Part II

This one was even worse. Peyton Manning handed the ball off to Jacob Hester, who converted and ended up with a first down in Baltimore territory in a one-score game. However, a ticky-tack holding penalty erased the first down, and Pernell McPhee sacked Manning on the next play. Baltimore scored after the punt, and later used their Vinovich-aided momentum to take down Denver in an instant classic during their Super Bowl run.

2. One of His Many Blunders In Chargers-Steelers

Whenever an officiating crew has to come out and immediately make a statement that explains their actions in a game, you know there were some bad calls. This missed false start that got the Chargers back into the game was one of three awful calls, the other two being pass interference and holding, that caused all of Steelers nation to hone in on Vinovich. When the lights shine bright, Vinovich tends to make at least one big blunder every game.

1. The New Orleans No-Call

There's nothing that will ever be close to this. This is quite possibly the biggest blown call in NFL history. Even with next to no knowledge of the intricacies of the NFL rulebook, one could see that this is PAINFULLY obvious pass interference from Nickell Robey-Coleman against Tommylee Lewis. Vinovich's missed call will live on forever as a monument to bad officiating. Let's just cross our fingers and say a little prayer that Super Bowl LIV is devoid of Vinovich's colossal blunders.