NFL fans were none too pleased with CBS’s Gene Steratore on Sunday after the rules analyst and former NFL official offered a curious take on a questionable call during Week 10’s Packers-Steelers game.
Steratore found himself in a bit of controversy after agreeing with the officiating crew for deeming an apparent illegal forward pass from Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett an incompletion.
“Sometimes these are really difficult,” Steratore said of the play. “To me, it was just not enough to overturn one way or the other, guys. You may disagree with me, Charles, but I just felt like it was a tough one.”
The Packers’ unsuccessful challenge, despite Steratore’s analysis, was quickly met by disdain from CBS commentator Charles Davis, who said he disagreed “vehemently” with the call before the ex-ref explained his view.
“I think if the official on the side moves himself in position, Davis said, “he sees clearly that that’s a lateral and that should’ve been Green Bay’s ball.”
Charles Davis doesn't have as spirited an argument with Gene Steratore that Cris Collinsowrth had with Terry McAulay, but the CBS analyst let the former head official that he disagrees, "vehemently."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 12, 2023
Steratore really taking a stand here: "To me, it was just not enough to… pic.twitter.com/HjfadUy9Ga
Although the ruling had little effect on Pittsburgh’s eventual 23–19 win, many fans made sure to let their disapproval of Steratore known in the moment:
Why do they bring former refs on to analyze these? They never disagree with the refs. This was a bad call. I don’t care about the angle. The field has yard markers for a reason. https://t.co/V3l3EgpMDx
— Matt Ramage (@mattramage) November 12, 2023
How on earth is it possible for an NFL crew to double down on this?!? Pickett’s front foot is on the line. The RB hasn’t even made it to the line and the ball is still behind him, and lands about 2 yards behind the line. There is no explanation you can give me for them getting… https://t.co/F0WAZ4uMk8
— Tazim Wajid Wajed (@NFLHitman33) November 12, 2023
This is very clearly a backwards pass https://t.co/mKowrL7Jn5
— John E. C. (@johnnyc1952) November 12, 2023
Very clear.. incredibly clear.. it doesn't even have to go backwards, even though it does.. by rule, it has to go FORWARD to be an incomplete pass, which it clearly does not https://t.co/1wgvlQnN2n
— Mike 🏈 footballiance.com (@DraftMaverick) November 12, 2023
in what realm is that not a backwards pass? https://t.co/2yMtd1PaCM
— Adam Rosen (@arrosen76) November 12, 2023
Ball CLEARLY goes backward
— Steve Svekis (@Pac_Dozen) November 12, 2023
There is agreeing with Charles Davis here, or being wrong
