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Refs union criticizes NFL inconsistency on calls

Sports

October 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

NEW YORK (AP) — The union representing NFL on-field officials criticized the league Thursday for inconsistencies in grading calls, including two high-profile penalties from recent games. In a release, the NFL Referees Association says the NFL has “caused confusion for NFL officials as to what the league does and doesn’t want called.”

The union referred to penalties on Washington’s Chris Baker for a hit on Eagles quarterback Nick Foles on Sept. 21, and to Chiefs safety Husain Abdullah last Monday night for going to his knees to celebrate an interception return for a touchdown. Abdullah actually had gone to his knees to pray — an act exempted from celebration penalties.

The union says both calls were graded as correct even after NFL executives announced that they were incorrect. Baker got a 15-yard penalty and was ejected from the game at Philadelphia. Abdullah also received a 15-yard penalty.