NFL Officials Explanation for No OPI Call on Kyle Rudolph Will Infuriate Saints Fans
By Sean Facey
After Kyle Rudolph's controversial game-winning touchdown, New Orleans Saints fans once again have beef with NFL officials.
And, as expected, they'll find no sympathy from the referees themselves.
The officials explained that they stood by the call on the field because, in their eyes, there was "contact by both players, but none of that contact rises to the level of a foul."
"All angles of the final play of #MINvsNO were looked at in New York – there is contact by both players, but none of that contact rises to the level of a foul." - AL pic.twitter.com/FvnuA3I4cs
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) January 5, 2020
In truth, it was an incredibly physical play. Both PJ Williams and Kyle Rudolph were all over each other in the corner of the end zone. Hands were flying in all directions, right up until the the catch was made.
But it can't be denied that Rudolph definitely seemed to get some extension with his right arm right before the ball arrived. In fact, a veteran NFL official, Terry McAulay, tweeted that the play was most definitely offensive pass interference.
It is illegal for an offensive player to extend his arm or arms and create clear separation from the defender. That was OPI. #MINvsNO
— Terry McAulay (@SNFRules) January 5, 2020
But, even with all of the direct camera angles available, the call on the field stood...and WAS NOT REVIEWED.
No, this frustration isn't going to go away anytime soon.