Game Impact: Referees’ “Administrative Error” Causes Controversy in Chiefs-Raiders Game
A mistake by Clay Martin’s crew of referees marred the Kansas City Chiefs’ Black Friday matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13.
When Las Vegas punted to Kansas City midway through the first quarter, officials indicated that the Chiefs had committed a holding penalty.
The perfectly-placed punt, which went out of bounds at the one-yard line, seemed to have pinned Kansas City deep in its own territory.
But, after a commercial break, viewers were informed that an “administrative error” had occurred and that Martin and his crew were still figuring out where to place the ball.
Ultimately, the penalty call was changed to be enforced against Las Vegas, and the Chiefs took possession at the Raiders’ 23-yard line.
Veteran Kansas City Star sports columnist Vahe Gregorian explained what happened in a post on Twitter:
Penalty admin went awry longer than should have on 1st punt, with officials initially calling holding on No. 53 of Chiefs — who don’t have one of those — and half distance to the goal before resetting with penalty on LV. So Chiefs end up w ball at 23 instead of inside 1.
