Story update: Gene Steratore later backtracked and said he was wrong about the play. See our original post below.
The Denver Broncos’ 19-17 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday featured some controversy in the third quarter.
After Packers quarterback Jordan Love tossed a 16-yard pass into the end zone, Denver cornerback Pat Surtain and Green Bay wide receiver Romeo Doubs ended up on the ground with both their arms wrapped around the ball.
Officials ruled the play a touchdown, stating that Doubs maintained control of the ball and secured a catch for a score.
Former NFL referee Gene Steratore, who now works as a rules analyst for CBS Sports, disagreed with the ruling.
“[T]he DB fulfilled the process of the catch before the WR did,” Steratore wrote on his Twitter/X page. “After the defender possessed the ball, both of his feet and then his knee were down in-bounds prior to the WR’s. This would make this play an interception.”
IMO in #GBvsDEN, the DB fulfilled the process of the catch before the WR did. After the defender possessed the ball, both of his feet and then his knee were down in-bounds prior to the WR's.
This would make this play an interception.https://t.co/Jp8XuPZtdL
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) October 22, 2023
This is not the first time this season that Steratore has sided with the Broncos on a questionable call. In Week 2, Steratore said Washington Commanders defensive back Benjamin St-Juste got away with pass interference against Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton on the game’s final play.
Steratore served as a referee in the NFL from 2003-2018.
