PFWA Pool Reporter Joe Reedy Interview with NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth
Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Question: What was the basis for the call on the field and then the overturn (second quarter, 0:25 remaining)?
Butterworth: “The on-field officials ruled that it was a fumble recovered by the defense and in for a touchdown. All scoring plays are under the jurisdiction of the replay booth and New York. We stopped the game as there was a significant question as to whether his hand was coming forward with the ball. Once we went into review, all we need is the hand moving forward with control of the ball and so we ended up overturning it to an incomplete pass.”
Question: You did believe the quarterback had control of the ball as he pushed forward?
Butterworth: “Yes, when his hand was moving forward, he had control. It was tight and we were going frame by frame and as his hand was moving forward, he had control and then lost it. So we overturned it to an incomplete pass.”
Question: What was the angle where you guys decided to overturn? Because the two that were shown on the scoreboard, one from behind the quarterback and then the one sideline, at least from the video review on the scoreboard, it didn’t look conclusive. So what angle did you guys use?
Butterworth: “We were going through angles and there was an enhanced angle from broadcast that we could see the hand coming forward. Again, we’re going frame by frame, and the hand was coming forward with control of the ball and then he lost control of the ball.”
