The National Football League’s referees have come under significant scrutiny this season due to several controversial and blown calls. While it’s common knowledge that mistakes are part of the game—players miss plays, coaches make bad decisions, and referees sometimes get calls wrong—it is rare for the NFL to openly admit when its officials have erred. However, that’s exactly what happened on Sunday morning, as the league’s head of officiating acknowledged two critical mistakes that were made this season.
Referees are often in the spotlight, but the NFL usually remains tight-lipped about any officiating blunders.
This time, Walt Anderson, the NFL’s head of officiating, broke from tradition and admitted to two blown calls during Thursday night’s matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders. The Eagles emerged victorious with a score of 26-18, but the game was marred by controversial officiating decisions that affected both teams.
Anderson made his admissions during an appearance on NFL Network’s “GameDay Morning.” He acknowledged that two big mistakes occurred during the Eagles’ win over the Commanders, a rare move that drew attention from fans and analysts alike. It is unusual for the NFL to publicly address officiating errors, but Anderson’s transparency highlighted a shift towards greater accountability within the league.
The first mistake Anderson addressed involved a pass interference call against Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean. During the opening drive of the third quarter, DeJean was flagged for pulling the jersey of Commanders receiver Noah Brown.
Anderson admitted that while DeJean’s action could have been interpreted as defensive holding before the ball was thrown, the jersey tug was not significant enough to warrant a pass interference penalty. The call had a substantial impact on the drive, and Anderson’s admission suggested that the officials had overreacted in making the call.
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Anderson didn’t stop there. He also acknowledged a missed roughing the passer call involving Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
During the game, Daniels took a hit that should have been flagged, but the officials failed to throw a penalty. Anderson’s willingness to admit that the referees missed such a crucial call was notable, as roughing the passer penalties are among the most scrutinized in today’s NFL due to their potential impact on player safety.
The public acknowledgment of officiating mistakes is a rare occurrence in the NFL, and many believe it should happen more often.
When mistakes are made, fans, players, and coaches are often left frustrated, with little to no explanation from the league.
By owning up to the errors, the NFL could foster greater transparency and trust between the league and its fans. After all, everyone involved in the game—from players and coaches to referees—is human, and mistakes are inevitable.
NFL fans have long called for more transparency from the league when it comes to officiating, and this instance of accountability could be a step in the right direction. Admitting mistakes doesn’t change the outcome of a game, but it does provide some measure of closure and acknowledgment for teams and fans who feel wronged by a bad call.
If the NFL were more forthcoming about officiating errors, it might help reduce the animosity that can build up after controversial games.
Referees are held to an incredibly high standard, and expecting them to be perfect every week is unrealistic.
What fans, players, and coaches alike desire is transparency and honesty when mistakes do occur. By admitting to these errors, Walt Anderson and the NFL have taken a step toward accountability, and it would likely be in everyone’s best interest for the league to continue this practice moving forward.
Owning up to mistakes could help foster a culture of forgiveness and understanding, ultimately benefiting the integrity of the game.
