Is controversy the right word? What about travesty? Catastrophe? The words to describe what transpired last night between the Seahawks and Packers could go on and on. In case you’re not a sports fan or don’t entirely follow the NFL, i’ll give you a quick recap. In a tight defense battle between the Packers and Seahawks, the game came down to the final drive, filled with penalties that the replacement referees got wrong. The sum of it all was a final play in the end zone, a jump ball clearly caught in favor of the Packers but due to replacement referee incompetence, it was awarded to the Seahawks and ultimately it could not be overturn due to NFL rules.  Replays were shown over and over, clearly showing that Packers defender M.D. Jennings had possession of the ball but Seahawks receiver Golden Tate had part of his arm on the ball so the referee awarded the catch to Tate. Did I mention that right before Tate made his “catch” he blatantly pushed a Packers defender in the back? Football fans around the country were left dumbfounded wondering how something like that could happen. Ok, so the call was horrendous, we can all agree on that. What now?

How does the NFL react? How do teams (owners, coaches and players) react? How do NFL fans around the country and world react? Like many fans out there, I didn’t have a rooting interest last night but I wouldn’t want this to happen with my team being on the losing side. Many fans are throwing around ideas of boycotting the league, protesting outside of stadiums or anything that can put enough pressure on Roger Goodell and league to get this situation fixed. Action from NFL fans is necessary but it’s going to come down to Goodell. He’s the commissioner and the man with the power to get this situation fixed swiftly and effectively. This topic will continue to be discussed at length over the next few days and it’s what has to happen because anything that keeps pressure on the league and Goodell is a positive. It’s gotten to the point where the integrity of the game has been compromised. The line has been crossed.

Next Monday I will be heading to Cowboys stadium to watch my Dallas Cowboys take on the Chicago Bears, exactly one week after this incident occurred. Will this be fixed? I certainly hope so, this isn’t the type of football I expected when I paid for my tickets.