Pathetic Penalty That Attributed To Steelers Missing Playoffs Results In A Fine After Week 18

The Pittsburgh Steelers had an incredible turnaround to their season. Their season started out 2-6 prior to the bye week and led almost everyone to write the team off. However, after the bye, they rebounded to an astonishing 7-2 and nearly made the playoffs. The Steelers did what they needed to do and won their last several games. They also needed help in the form of a Buffalo Bills and New York Jets win. The Bills won, but the Miami Dolphins managed to kick a last-second field goal to beat the Jets eliminating the Steelers from playoff contention. That field goal was made possible by a controversial play call that gave the Dolphins a first down on the final drive.

Jets Quincy Williams - Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

Steelers Miss Playoffs and the NFL Backs Their Refs

As the Steelers game was wrapping up and it was clear that the black and gold victory was in the bag, the Jets game was headed in a different direction. Miami was driving and the Jets defense was doing everything it could to stop them in the waning minutes of the game. New York seemed poised to end Miami's shot at a playoff spot, as they came up big on a second and nine. Then maddeningly enough, Jets defensive lineman, Quincy Williams was flagged for a horse collar tackle on Dolphins receiver, Jaylen Waddle. That gave Miami new life and led to the game-winning field goal.

The internet immediately exploded as people everywhere, except South Florida, denounced the call. It does not appear that Williams's hands went inside of Waddle's pads, instead, they grabbed and slipped down his nameplate and his back.

The NFL did not side with public opinion this time, instead, they stood by their referee's decision and fined Williams $14,111 per Tom Pelissaro via Twitter.

You can view the video to judge for yourself, but it is clear there is confusion among fans regarding what actually constitutes a horse collar tackle. It is typically thought of as a player getting their hands or fingers inside of another player's "collar" or shoulder pad area and that is how the penalty is typically called.

The reality is that the real definition, according to the NFL, is much looser and less definite. It leaves a lot of room for interpretation and at times misinterpretation. The language for the penalty is as follows:

"No player shall grab the inside collar of the back or the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, or grab the jersey at the name plate or above, and pull the runner toward the ground. This does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket."

It goes on to clarify further that it does not have to be a full tackle to count as a penalty:

"Note: It is not necessary for a player to pull the runner completely to the ground in order for the act to be illegal. If his knees are buckled by the action, it is a foul, even if the runner is not pulled completely to the ground."

When you view the play again within the context of that definition, it obviously fits. Despite the fact that this might be a bit of a "weak" interpretation, especially given that it had game-changing results, the refs did get the call technically correct.

Perhaps the bigger issue is the way in which rules are not applied the same from game to game and crew to crew. While there is a "human error" factor involved in refereeing any sport, there is more and more technology being used that can help to literally level the playing field. Fans are not the only ones speaking out in frustration over the differences in the way games are called, players such as the Steelers' own Cam Heyward, want to see technology used more often.

Steelers DL Cam Heyward on his podcast 'Not Just Football'

With the NFL's focus continuing to rightfully be on player safety, it might be safe to assume that we will see some of these looser calls tightened up in the near future. The Steelers always seem to end up on the losing end of them. Even when they don't happen in their own game!

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