Stephen HolderESPNOct 24, 2023, 11:19 PM ET3 Minute Read
McAfee blasts officials in Browns-Colts game
Pat McAfee goes over the two controversial calls at the end of the Browns’ win over the Colts.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Colts owner Jim Irsay says the NFL “admits and understands” that two key statements made at the end of his team’s loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday were false.
Irsay made the statement Tuesday night in a post on Colts cornerback Darrell Baker Jr. The calls helped the Browns secure a 39-38 win.
The illegal contact call negated a possible sack fumble that Indianapolis recovered, a play that would have effectively ended the game. The question on this call was whether Baker was actually interfering with Amari Cooper’s route or whether the contact was more accidental. The pass interference penalty was called a few moments later, even though the throw to Donovan Peoples-Jones was probably uncatchable.
According to NFL rules, pass interference is not applicable in such situations. Because the interference call came in the end zone, the Browns gained possession at the 1-yard line and scored the game-winning touchdown four plays later.
Teams will periodically contact the league office for further information regarding calls with which they disagree. Colts coach Shane Steichen, who called the flags “tough decisions,” said Monday that the team could make such a move with the NFL.
These conversations take place privately and are not typically shared publicly. But Irsay took the unusual step of sharing the details in his post, writing: “The NFL admits and understands that they did not make the right calls at the end of the Colts/Browns game on Sunday. I believe we need to implement instant replay for all calls, including penalties, in the last two minutes of all games.”
Irsay also announced that Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson underwent right shoulder surgery to repair his ACL sprain on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Richardson is expected to miss the rest of the season, but Irsay said “no new surprises were found” during the procedure.
A source told ESPN that Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the same surgeon who performed Achilles tendon repairs on late NBA star Kobe Bryant and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. There is no timetable for Richardson’s return yet.