The Call That Sparked Controversy: NFL Referee Explains Decision in Eagles -Steelers Sideline Brawl
The Philadelphia Eagles‘ defense and Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense got caught up in a sideline scuffle on Sunday in the first quarter of the game.
The motive behind the pushing and shoving came from Steelers tight end Darnell Washington unnecessarily pushing Eagles cornerback Darius Slay into the wall while blocking him.
Eagles rookie Quinyon Mitchell and more Eagles defenders went to stand up for Slay and that’s when things got a little spicy.
But only the Steelers were penalized.
Pittsburgh was called for two personal fouls, which cost them 15 yards and forced them to move back from the five-yard line to the 18-yard line.
After the game, NFL referee Alan Eck explained the call in a pool report with Zach Berman.
Question: In the first quarter, on the scuffle between the Eagles and the Steelers, why was it that two Steelers got penalized on that play?
Eck: “Because two Steelers were observed, number 80 and number 19, committing unsportsmanlike conduct after the play was over. That’s what it was. Two players after the fact, unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Question: As far as that play, why weren’t any Eagles players flagged and did you see any punches thrown?
Question: That was my follow-up question. Is replay available? What was observed by New York on that play?
Eck: “Correct. Since we have flags down, that opens the door to let New York take a look at it and take a video review of it. After looking at the video, they didn’t observe any punches.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was far from happy with the call but the Eagles had no reason to complain, especially after the drive ended with Pittsburgh settling for a field goal.
