PFWA Pool Reporter Mike Reiss Interview with Vice President of Officiating George Stewart
Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Question: What was the rule applied in the decision to overturn the touchdown catch by Ja’Lynn Polk?
Stewart: “The rule that was applied was the toe-heel rule. What happened was he did have one foot down in the field of play and at the completion of the second step, he had his toe in the field of play, but his heel came down on the white line out of bounds. So, he did not have two feet in bounds at the conclusion of the catch.”
Question: What were the elements of the play that were essential to the decision to overturn?
Stewart: “Just like I said, he did not have two feet in the field of play. It was a toe-heel, it wasn’t a drag. It was a toe-heel that caused this to be an incomplete pass.”
Question: For Ja’Lynn Polk to have that be a touchdown catch, he needed to have the heel come down in the field of play and not on the white?
Stewart: “Correct.”
