i know it , they going say it, funk ref

[hustlerman]

Referees aWYLIE, Texas -- Ed Hochuli received the support of the NFL Referees Association on Tuesday, two days after he botched a call at the end of the San Diego Chargers-Denver Broncos game that allowed the Broncos to keep possession and go on to score the winning points.


[+] EnlargeJimmy DeFlippo/US Presswire

The NFL will give longtime official Ed Hochuli lower grades after he admitted botching a call late in the Chargers-Broncos game.

"No one feels worse about this than Ed, but like the coaches and players in our high-speed game, mistakes will occur," NFLRA executive director Tim Millis said in a statement.

"The NFLRA stands by Ed Hochuli as a 19-year veteran with multiple Super Bowl and countless playoff game experience who has the integrity and character to admit a mistake and accept the criticism that comes with it."

The crucial call occurred with the Broncos at the Chargers 1-yard-line in the final minute. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler dropped back to pass, the ball slipped out of his hands, bounced off the grass and into the arms of Chargers linebacker Tim Dobbins.

Hochuli, a former NFLRA president, ruled it an incomplete pass. Replay ruled it a fumble, but it was spotted at the 10, where the ball hit the ground, and given to Denver because the rules did not permit possession to be awarded to San Diego because the whistle had blown.

Denver went on to score a touchdown and a 2-point conversion to win 39-38.

ssociation says it stands by Hochuli after botched call,

[nickwadden]

as bad of a call it was, did he play D on that 4th down? did he play D on that 2 point conversion? no.

[ShakariX]

Ed Hochuli could kick the A55 of prob half the NFL

I think he was a lawyer too before being a ref

[GFootsXtreme]

Originally Posted by nickwadden

as bad of a call it was, did he play D on that 4th down? did he play D on that 2 point conversion? no.

turnover = no 4th down, no td, no 2 pt conversion

hoculi = knows better than to blow the whistle. amazing how many people won't simply say the guy ****ed up. the motivation for it is certainly debatable.

[pwherr]

I want to ask everyone how many calls were missed or fuked up this week???
Believe me it was way more than 1.Was this the SB?NO.Will it determine a div winner? NO.So early in the season it has no impact on anything but the SD bettors period.I watched a lot of football Sun and blown calls in every one.The only other bad thing that is going to happen is Denver is going to get watched very close now so they are the ones that are going to get fuked.Think about it.

[Romanowski]

I disagree. Its not worth dwelling on, but that certainly could be the difference between home field for a game or a wild card by season end

And Hochuli is the one who will be watched closer not the Broncs

[RanPicks]

I'm getting hundreds of emails – hate mail – but I'm responding to it all. People deserve a response.

You can rest assured that nothing anyone can say can make me feel worse than I already feel about my mistake on the fumble play. You have no idea ...

Affecting the outcome of a game is a devastating feeling. Officials strive for perfection – I failed miserably. Although it does no good to say it, I am very, very sorry.

Ed "Guns" Hochuli

Man, I'd hate to be him right now...

feel sorry for him... but I guess that goes with the territory

[westcoastO]

so that's what rjb is doing during his ban

[pwherr]

1 thread is plenty about this.Let it go.

[RanPicks]

Sorry paul... just thought I shed light on Ed...

he feels terrible and it's hard for me to hate a guy that knows he f'd up and is miserable over it.

[Gobbler's Knob]

Guy is one of the best refs around and he's HUMAN. One fuking mistake, get over it and move on.