Seahawks
Referee fined for missing call in Seahawks loss to Ravens

The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

The fine represented half of White's game check, supervisor of officials Mike Pereira said Wednesday.

The entire crew was reprimanded for its performance during the Nov. 23 game, presumably hurting its chances to officiate in the playoffs. Crews are assigned to the postseason based on their regular-season ratings.

The play in question occurred with 58 seconds left and Seattle ahead 41-38. The Seahawks' Shaun Alexander gained 3 yards to the Baltimore 33, but head linesman Ed Camp threw a penalty flag because he thought offensive tackle Floyd Womack lined up as an ineligible receiver.

The Ravens called their final timeout but the clock was stopped anyway for the officials to discuss the penalty. They determined Womack was eligible, let the play stand and gave Baltimore back its final timeout.

The Ravens were ready to call timeout again, but White did not restart the clock. As a result, Baltimore saved its timeout until after the plays, saving 40 seconds that it used when it got the ball back to tie a game it eventually won in overtime.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company