Packers Fans Pulling Out Bad Call Bricks For Super Bowl

NFL News - February 3rd, 2010 - Written by John Ritter

Brace yourself, Green Bay.

The NFL released the officiating list for the Super Bowl on Wednesday and Scott Green is on it. The league said that Green graded out well for the entire season and has earned the nomination of referee for the championship.

Although it seems like an innocuous decision, Packers fans may disagree. After all, it was Green who was the referee in Green Bay's wild card loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the NFL Playoffs.

It was the highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history and was won by the Cardinals on a freak play in which Aaron Rodgers was lit up by blitzing corner back Mike Adams and fumbled the ball into the lap of Karlos Dansby.

As Dansby fielded the loose ball and ran into the endzone for the winning score, Adams appeared to grip Rodgers' face mask as the tackle was being made, which should have negated the touchdown and given Green Bay the ball 15 yards farther down field. Instead, Green, who was the official in position to make the call, let the play stand and Packers fans haven't forgotten.

He also was criticized for not calling a penalty on Arizona's Bertrand Berry earlier in the game when he hit Rodgers high and drove him into the ground.

Although fans have considered the two no-calls inexplicable, the NFL argued that Green's entire season has merited a job at the Super Bowl. Vice President of NFL refs Mike Pereira looked at the tape of the Packer game and saw no reason to reprimand Green because the face masking appeared incidental.

With the mild controversy surrounding the election, he may even draw more fire because this Super Bowl could come down to the wire, meaning certain calls will be crucial. The Indianapolis Colts are favored by as much as six, according to NFL Betting Lines, but it could turn into a shootout with New Orleans' potent offense.

Green has been a back judge in the 2002 and 2004 Super Bowls. He has been a referee since 2004.

The umpire for the game is Undry Walsh, the line judge is Jim Seeman, the head linesman is John McGrath, the field judge is Rob Vernatchi, along with side judge Greg Meyer and back judge Greg Steed.