PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA on Tuesday weighed in on a question transfixing America — the controversial finish of a late night football game decided on a disputed call by referees.
Workplaces and school yards were buzzing over the ruling which gave a touchdown and a last gasp 14-12 victory over the Green Bay Packers to the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League (NFL).
The incident, in which the ball appeared to have been intercepted by a Packers player, piled pressure on NFL bosses to solve a labor dispute which has seen the powerful and popular league field replacement referees.
“Terrible,” Obama said, when asked by reporters for his reaction to the controversy after arriving back at the White House from the United Nations General Assembly.
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“I’ve been saying for months we’ve got to get our refs back.”
Earlier, on Air Force One, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the president had told him the incident “was a perfect example of why both sides need to come together, to resolve their differences, so the regular refs can get back on the field.”
“He thinks there was a real problem with the call,” Carney said.
Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, a Packers fan from Wisconsin, which is rabidly supportive of the home state team, also tackled the drama, and used it to take a jab at Obama ahead of the November 6 election.
“Did you guys watch that Packer game last night? I mean — give me a break. It is time to get the real refs,” Ryan said in Ohio.
“Do you know what, it reminds me of President Obama and the economy. If you can’t get it right, it’s time to get out.”
In the bizarre finish to the showpiece “Monday Night Football” game, Seattle’s Russell Wilson was credited with a game-winning touchdown pass to Golden Tate on the last play.
Wilson scrambled to avoid Packers pass rushers and heaved a desperation toss into the end zone, where three Green Bay defenders and two Seattle receivers leaped into the air and fell into a pile as they tried to grab the ball.
Green Bay defender M.D. Jennings leapt highest and pulled the ball into his chest while Tate also grabbed the ball in his outstretched hands as the group fell to the turf.
One referee made a Seattle touchdown signal, while another signaled a Green Bay interception, sowing confusion.
A mandatory video replay was made and the ruling was upheld to the delight of the home crowd, sending the Packers off the field in dismay.
Reactions on Twitter and from television commentators made it clear that many NFL fans saw the outcome as the first game where a team lost due to the replacement referees.
hang on a minute not really much of an American football fan so might be wrong here but didn’t they use video footage to make the call?? how did they mess it up then? surely the video ref would have seen what everyone else is makin such a song and dance over? pathetic what that idiot Paul Ryan said
Surely all these bad calls are making the regular refs happy. They know now that the nfl will want to get them back ASAP so they can avoid incidents like this and will give them whatever they want.
please….anyone out there…please say that there is a women’s lingerie league of some sort for some sport somewhere …so much bad news lately, but this would make it all have some meaning….please Joe say it is so!!!
I love the way Paul Ryan is described as “rabidly supportive” (clearly a negative phrase) when “passionate” would have been less pointed and a little more benign. I’m not the least bit surprised with The Journal taking sides. Disappointed? Yes. Surprised? No.
Read the article again. It says Wisconsin is rabidly supportive, not Paul Ryan. But sure don’t let the facts get in the way of a good opportunity to sling mud.
A lot of bad calls have been made in many games this season, a lot of possible points missed, points that may have won the game in some cases. The packers game is the biggest example, I think if that call had of been made during the 1/2/3rd quarter ( and not the last seconds) the reaction would not have been as passionate, that call highlighted the issue… I doubt much will change this season but I’m ever hopeful! Lol
For those of the readers long enough around to remember – it reminds me of the little shove by Seamus Darby on Tommy Doyle in the infamous ‘Five in a row All Ireland Final’ – Offaly V Kerry , of the early Eighties – everyone spotted it – but the Ref. & the rest is history!
The infamous Kerry – five in a row song is a piece of history too!
“Earlier, on Air Force One, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the president had told him the incident “was a perfect example of why both sides need to come together, to resolve their differences, so the regular refs can get back on the field.””
I wonder did his statement have anything to do with the game at all, or was it a hidden message to the political situation in America…
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I’m embarrassed for Paul Ryan with that pathetic attempt to Jibe Obama!
Finger on the pulse of the important issues.
Four more years!
Apparently some of the drafted refs were so bad thaw were kicked out of reffing the women’s lingerie football:D
*they
It wasn’t because of the misspelling that that joke bombed.
Why were they kicked out of offing the lingerie league? Did the keep making boobs
He wasn’t joking Cian: http://jrnl.ie/609683
… I have no words…
@Cian
Not even sorry?
BTW green really isn’t your colour.
Sorry seems to be the hardest one
hang on a minute not really much of an American football fan so might be wrong here but didn’t they use video footage to make the call?? how did they mess it up then? surely the video ref would have seen what everyone else is makin such a song and dance over? pathetic what that idiot Paul Ryan said
Wow. Women’s lingerie football. Just wow.
Surely all these bad calls are making the regular refs happy. They know now that the nfl will want to get them back ASAP so they can avoid incidents like this and will give them whatever they want.
please….anyone out there…please say that there is a women’s lingerie league of some sort for some sport somewhere …so much bad news lately, but this would make it all have some meaning….please Joe say it is so!!!
There is in deed just google it and don’t forget beach volleyball is a sport
As we say when the Packers play the Bears….. Puck the Fackers ..
Where’s the link to the touchdown? I love to see the Packers lose!
Bears Fan!
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-am/0ap2000000066014/Packers-livid-with-sequence-of-calls
I love the way Paul Ryan is described as “rabidly supportive” (clearly a negative phrase) when “passionate” would have been less pointed and a little more benign. I’m not the least bit surprised with The Journal taking sides. Disappointed? Yes. Surprised? No.
Read the article again. It says Wisconsin is rabidly supportive, not Paul Ryan. But sure don’t let the facts get in the way of a good opportunity to sling mud.
Vote for Bill Clinton
A lot of bad calls have been made in many games this season, a lot of possible points missed, points that may have won the game in some cases. The packers game is the biggest example, I think if that call had of been made during the 1/2/3rd quarter ( and not the last seconds) the reaction would not have been as passionate, that call highlighted the issue… I doubt much will change this season but I’m ever hopeful! Lol
For those of the readers long enough around to remember – it reminds me of the little shove by Seamus Darby on Tommy Doyle in the infamous ‘Five in a row All Ireland Final’ – Offaly V Kerry , of the early Eighties – everyone spotted it – but the Ref. & the rest is history!
The infamous Kerry – five in a row song is a piece of history too!
giveAFook.com
“Earlier, on Air Force One, White House spokesman Jay Carney said the president had told him the incident “was a perfect example of why both sides need to come together, to resolve their differences, so the regular refs can get back on the field.””
I wonder did his statement have anything to do with the game at all, or was it a hidden message to the political situation in America…