Former NFL referee and current CBS Sports rule analyst Gene Steratore admitted making a mistake in his interpretation of a crucial play during Sunday’s broadcast of the Green Bay Packers’ 19-17 loss to the Denver Broncos.
The play — a touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs in the second half — was called correctly on the field and upheld on review, but Steratore admitted to getting it wrong while breaking down the play for the CBS broadcast.
Steratore, who was an NFL official from 2003 to 2018, said he believed the play should have been ruled an interception for Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II because he thought Surtain fulfilled the process of making the catch before Doubs. But he got it wrong: simultaneous possession of the ball is awarded to the offensive team, so officials got the call correct on the field.
Vice president of officiating Walt Anderson confirmed the call on the field was right.
Here’s Steratore’s tweet admitting his error:
No matter what you do, owning up and taking accountability is how you get better. My interpretation of the play in #GBvsDEN was incorrect. I overthought it and just missed it.
As a ref (whether grade school or pro), you learn the most from the <5% of calls that you miss. https://t.co/V3exK1hYyL
— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) October 24, 2023
Here’s the play in question from Sunday:
GO UP & GET IT, @RomeoDoubs!
TOUCHDOWN 🙌
#GBvsDEN #GoPackGo📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/ak4qBT6B2G
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 22, 2023
Referees are human beings and make mistakes. The same goes for former referees who analyze the game for networks. Fortunately, the play was called correctly on the field and no controversy ensued. The touchdown pass from Love to Doubs cut the Broncos’ lead to 16-10, but Denver eventually held on for a 19-17 win.
