Referee's Explanation for Jadeveon Clowney-Carson Wentz No Call Will Infuriate Eagles Fans
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was knocked out of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks after taking what appeared to be a cheap shot to the head from Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney lowered his head into Wentz, who was on the ground, and Wentz's head smashed into the ground after taking the hit. There was no penalty called, and Eagles fans won't exactly be satisfied by the referee's explanation following the game. In fact, they may freak out!
NFL referee Shawn Smith's response to a pool reporter question on Jadeveon Clowney hit on Carson Wentz and why a penalty wasn't called:
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 6, 2020
"He was a runner and he did not give himself up. We saw incidental helmet contact, and in our judgement, we didn't rule that to be a foul."
There are two notable things about this quote: Calling the hit incidental, and saying Wentz did not give himself up. First off, this was a hit directly to the head. Incidental or not, we have all seen that called often over the past few years to QBs with surnames other than "Wentz". A certain Mr. Brady gets a call when an arm grazes his helmet.
As for giving himself up, Wentz was already on the ground while he was pummeled.
Carson Wentz was hurt on this play. No flag. During numerous replays there is no discussion about whether it should have been a penalty #SEAvsPHI pic.twitter.com/ie8VBD0P2m
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 5, 2020
Wentz dove forward to give himself up, and Clowney hit him in the head after the quarterback's knees were down. The Eagles and their fans have a right to be angry. If nothing else, a penalty should have been called, because the explanation is just false.
A simple replay shows what actually happened.