Watch: Refs nearly award bizarre TD on kickoff touchback in Bills-Texans
The wacky year of NFL officiating nearly got a whole lot wackier in the first game of the playoffs.
To open the second half of the Houston Texans-Buffalo Bills wild-card game, the Bills booted the kickoff into the end zone and into the hands of Texans returner DeAndre Carter. That's when things became confusing.
This is one of the most bizarre moments in NFL playoff broadcast history pic.twitter.com/SAMeNGh4rI
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 4, 2020
Carter tossed the ball to the official in the end zone, but when the official didn't catch it, the Bills scooped the ball up. The official instantly ruled the play a Buffalo touchdown.
Two officials in black NFL jackets ran onto the field to confer with head referee Tony Corrente, who would explain that "upon consultation," the returner gave himself up. The call was reversed to a touchback.
Thank goodness for alternative officials in the playoffs. The two guys you saw run on the field in black jackets were Mark Steinkerchner and Ramon George. They are there for that exact situation — to join a consult when needed. Ensure calls are right.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 4, 2020
The officials got together and correctly ruled that the runner had given himself up prior to tossing the ball to the referee. #BUFvsHOU
— NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) January 4, 2020