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Regardless of what team you pulled for the bottom line is the rules clearly states that you can not physically interfere with a receiver after 5 yards. The play covered 7 to 9 yards based on stance you want to take. But, it’s clear that it was beyond the 5 yard zone the rules talk about. Matter of fact it was an obvious and extreme case of holding. But, have to give the defender credit. You make the ref make the call in those situations.

The ref didn’t. Just like when the pressure is on players when the game is on the line, so it is with referee’s and umpires. And some can handle the pressure and make the plays or calls and some can’t. In this case the ref couldn’t handle the pressure. He didn’t make the call. For whatever reason he let the play go even though it was clear in live action as well as replay there was holding on the play.

The other side of the coin is this. Allow the players determine the game. In other words let the players within reason determine the winner. And I feel that may have been what this ref was thinking. I believe he was letting the players determine the outcome of the biggest game of the year. If that was the case then he did the right thing. Outside of the receiver being pulled down by the defender, this ref wasn’t going to blow the whistle.

I can’t say I blame him. Personally I would have blown the whistle. But I can understand why he didn’t. We also have to understand that the 49ers got away with a pass interference two weeks prior in the NFC Championship game against Atlanta. A Matt Ryan pass over the middle late in the 4th quarter deep in San Fransico red zone was knocked down by #53 NaVorro Bowman. The bad thing is he practically ran over the receiver to knock the ball down.

He should have been called for interference on the play. It was clearly interference. But once again the ref did not make the call. The ref’s allowed the players to determine the game and outside of a blatant foul they just weren’t going to make a call in that situation. So at least the ref’s were consistent in their calls when you look at this play in the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl.

So in closing although I feel both plays were interference on the defenders, I do appalled and understand why the weren’t called interference. Was it fair to the losing teams? I’m sure they might feel different but the players and coaches understand that sometimes you get those calls and sometimes you don’t. In these cases they didn’t get the calls but these things have a way of working out and I feel the calls will go their way in the future.

The key is to keep your head and keep playing. I’m sure they will.

Congrat’s to the Ravens and their fans. You deserve your victory and trophy. Although I am a long time niners fan I respect your team and victory.