Did the Referees Screw the Browns Out of a Challenge By Refusing to Give Them an Obvious First Down Measurement?
The Cleveland Browns hosted the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. After some pregame fireworks, the 49ers scored on their first drive and and the Browns had a touchdown called back so it was just 7-0 San Francisco when the PJ Walker tried to sneak a first down on 3rd and 1 near midfield late in the first quarter. Walker appeared to get it, but the officials spotted the ball a little short. Then things got really interesting when they measured to see if he got the first down and the tip of the ball appeared to be even with the first down marker.
After the #browns coach challenges the spot, the refs finally give them the first down. #SFvsCLE https://t.co/NfKsUZf9e8 pic.twitter.com/Olr347PhtC
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) October 15, 2023
Cleveland vs. Officiating is the most historic rivalry in sports pic.twitter.com/mSwaTvrxN5
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) October 15, 2023
Cleveland fans were furious and Kevin Stefanski had to challenge the spot. After a review the ball was re-spotted and the Browns got the first down, but that doesn't clear up why they didn't get the first down originally as Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen seemed confused on the broadcast.
THEY SAID HE WAS SHORT?! pic.twitter.com/7WPr5wZDu8
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) October 15, 2023
@NFLOfficiating just CALLED this measurement short for #Browns
— Don Fowler (@donf0615) October 15, 2023
They literally are f@cking the Browns and rigging this football game. The #NFL is suppose to have integrity… @nflcommish this is deplorable pic.twitter.com/gYiNTNSdJt
Between that and this measurement the Browns just need to pull the team off the field at this point and call a protest pic.twitter.com/TJu7k8m2An
— The Red Network (@rojosquatro) October 15, 2023
Times like this you have to wonder what happened to Gene Steratore and his index card. Oh, yeah, he was on the CBS broadcast trying to come up with an explaination why the Browns didn't get the first down when it sure looked like they had got the first down on that measurement.