People in Louisiana are so upset about a blown call in the New Orleans Saints season-ending loss last week that the governor of the state has written a letter to the NFL requesting a rule change.
The Saints lost to the Los Angeles Rams in heartbreaking fashion when referees for the NFC Championship Game missed a pass interference call that would have given New Orleans a chance to take the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Regulation ended in a tie, and the Rams went on to win the game in overtime.
I mean, this is the most blown call I’ve ever seen… #Rams #Saints pic.twitter.com/NcwkSylZ3t
— jamie jordan (@JordanJamie) January 20, 2019
In a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Gov. John Bel Edwards, D-La., complained about the controversial no-call.
“The very least that any fan of the Saints, or any other team, should be able to expect from any game is that the result will be decided by the players on the field,” Edwards wrote in a letter shared on Twitter. “By missing the obvious, blatant and intentional penalty at the end of the game, the referees in Sunday’s game undermined that expectation and unfortunately were allowed to determine the winner.”
Edwards also alluded to Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005.
ICYMI: Today, I sent a letter to @nflcommish expressing my deep disappointment with the outcome of the NFC Championship game on Sunday. Our @Saints deserved better. pic.twitter.com/NowSLktk8T
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) January 23, 2019
“Time has proved that the people of Louisiana are resilient, and we have overcome setbacks much bigger than a bad call in a football game,” Edwards said. “We will move on from this game, but we will not forget it.”
Social media has been abuzz with angry Saints fans ever since, some calling for the game to played again or the referees who missed the call to be fired. The NFL currently doesn’t allow for pass interference calls to be reviewed by instant replay, but the league is now looking into changing the rules.
Rams-Saints outcome fuels lawsuit seeking a Rule 17 do-over https://t.co/seHf8SBGDM
— WHO DAT NATION (@WhoDatNation) January 22, 2019
On Monday, a Saints-related lawsuit was filed by season ticket holders in New Orleans Civil District Court, seeking to have Goodell enforce a rule that would allow the end of the disputed game to be replayed.
The suit claims that Saints fans suffered incredible damages from the missed call, including mental anguish and emotional trauma.
