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Wrong call: NFL issues statement on Polamalu play
New York, NY (Sports Network) - National Football League vice president of officiating Mike Pereira on Monday issued a statement regarding the controversial reversal on Troy Polamalu's interception during Pittsburgh's 21-18 win over Indianapolis in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game at the RCA Dome.
In the statement, Pereira stated the officiating crew made the wrong call.
"The definition of a catch -- or in this case an interception -- states that in the process of making a catch a player must maintain possession of the ball after he contacts the ground," said Pereira. "The initial call on the field was that Troy Polamalu intercepted the pass because he maintained possession of the ball after hitting the ground.
"The replay showed that Polamalu had rolled over and was rising to his feet when the ball came loose. He maintained possession long enough to establish a catch. Therefore, the replay review should have upheld the call on the field that it was a catch and fumble.
"The rule regarding the performing of an act common to the game applies when there is contact with a defensive player and the ball comes loose, which did not happen here."
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Well I am certainly wiser than this man. It is only too likely that neither of us has any knowledge to boast of; but he thinks that he knows something which he does not know, whereas I am quite conscious of my ignorance. At any rate it seems that I am wiser than he is to this small extent, that I do not think that I know what I do not know. ~Socrates
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