In the Breeders Cup Classic the chalk is leading, and sweeping from mid-pack comes the main contender. During the big move, a 42-1 shot is a bit in the way, and it gets close, where the jockey jerks the fading equine's head. Then we witness what we came for - an Alydar, Affirmed IV, and we're not disappointed. It's a tooth and nail fight to the finish between these two great horses. It's a race we'll always remember.
What doesn't happen after the finish? An inquiry sign, despite a "foul being a foul", and yes, technically in the rule book it probably was a foul.
Meanwhile, in Super Bowl 57 one of the best season finales is happening right before our eyes, and the judges, well, don't do that.
In case you missed it (how could you, the game is kind of popular, but I know Marcus Hersh probably did because he doesn't like the football), an Eagles defender tugged on a sweater, which is a foul. But it really had absolutely had nothing to do with the play. It wasn't a quick slant where a tug or spin can be everything; it was an out and up, and Patrick Mahomes overthrew the ball by like sevcn yards. It was a big nothingburger.
Despite that, out came a flag and not just any flag. Defensive holding comes with an automatic first down, which effectively ended the game. A guy with a part time job in the offseason arguably decided a Super Bowl.
Leaving aside these tugs happen a lot during a game and aren't called. Leaving aside there was offensive holding on exactly the same play that the ref didn't (rightly) call in that situation (or any situation all game for that matter), because the edge rusher wasn't going to sack Mahomes either way. The ref called interference on a slight bump to a 42-1 shot backing through the field, because he decided to be capriciously technical.
We lament and complain about horse racing judges a lot. But they have what NFL officials do not have - some common sense. If a horse is not materially affected by interference - interference that that would not change the outcome of the race - they generally let it slide. That's a good thing not a bad thing, and the NFL could learn something from them.
Have a nice Monday everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment