In a peculiar turn of events, the NFL finds itself embroiled in a debate over a seemingly innocuous missed field goal attempt by Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard. The league is adamant that the ball did not strike a camera wire, despite visual evidence suggesting otherwise.
Want to know what people are really saying? Don’t miss the buzz from Reddit at the end!
The Curious Case of the Veering Field Goal
The controversy surrounding Will Reichard’s missed 51-yard field goal attempt against the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 has taken an unexpected turn. What appeared to be a routine miss has now become a subject of intense scrutiny and debate within the NFL. The league is determined to prove that the ball did not, in fact, hit a camera wire, despite widespread speculation and visual evidence that suggests otherwise. There is no video evidence of the football making contact with the broadcast cable. The day after the game, we were in touch with our colleagues who handled production responsibilities for the NFL Network broadcast. Those engineers, who were on site in London, verified that because of the position of the camera behind the kicker and where the cables were mounted in the stadium, it was not possible for the cables to interfere with the flight of the ball. The slow-motion replay of the kick that went to air was from a low-end zone camera on the tight end of its lens, which compresses the plane of focus. That’s why the football and one of the cables are visible in the same shot, but the ball in no way made any contact with the cable. “Yahoo Sports“
Dissecting the Evidence: Did the Wire Interfere?
The NFL has reviewed video footage from multiple angles and maintains that ‘the ball in no way made any contact with the cable.’ However, this assertion has been met with skepticism from various quarters. During a Week 8 ‘Thursday Night Football’ broadcast, announcer Al Michaels reignited the controversy by stating that Reichard’s only miss of the season was due to hitting a camera wire in London. The Vikings have completed 206 passes for 2,030 yards through the air this season, adding an element of confusion as to why Reichard’s kick would veer so drastically off course. There is no video evidence of the football making contact with the broadcast cable. The day after the game, we were in touch with our colleagues who handled production responsibilities for the NFL Network broadcast. Those engineers, who were on site in London, verified that because of the position of the camera behind the kicker and where the cables were mounted in the stadium, it was not possible for the cables to interfere with the flight of the ball. The slow-motion replay of the kick that went to air was from a low-end zone camera on the tight end of its lens, which compresses the plane of focus. That’s why the football and one of the cables are visible in the same shot, but the ball in no way made any contact with the cable. “Yahoo Sports“
League’s Stance: Clearing the Air or Covering Tracks?
In an effort to quell the growing speculation, the NFL presented its evidence to team owners at an October meeting. Executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent and NFL rules analyst Walt Anderson showcased footage of the kick with highlighted camera wires, claiming the ball did not have ‘a weird spin’ indicative of hitting a wire. This move has been viewed by some as an attempt to clear the air, while others perceive it as a cover-up to protect the league’s integrity. The Vikings have converted just 44 of 127 third down attempts this year, raising questions about the need to manufacture controversy around a seemingly straightforward missed kick.
Agents, Coaches Weigh In: Skepticism Persists
Despite the NFL’s efforts, skepticism persists among those directly involved. Reichard’s agent, Jim Ivler, initially contacted the league about removing the attempt from Reichard’s stats but was later told it was not possible. Vikings special teams coach Matt Daniels and Reichard himself remain unconvinced, citing the ball’s violent veer to the right after initially appearing to travel straight. The Vikings have accumulated 1,382 return yards this season, perhaps hinting at an ability to track unusual ball movement.
Controversy Lingers: Resolving the Unresolved
While the missed kick did not affect the outcome of the Vikings’ 21-17 win over the Browns, the NFL seems determined to prove the camera wire was not a factor, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether the league will be able to conclusively resolve this curious case or if it will linger as an unresolved controversy in the annals of NFL history. The Vikings have committed 75 penalties for 594 yards this season, perhaps contributing to the league’s zeal in avoiding any perceived officiating blunders.
Internet Reactions to the Mysterious Missed Field Goal
The NFL’s persistent efforts to prove that Vikings kicker Will Reichard’s missed field goal did not hit a camera wire have not gone unnoticed by the online community. Reddit users have expressed a range of reactions, from skepticism to outright incredulity, as the league attempts to clear the air surrounding this curious controversy.
The sheer number of cameras at NFL games has led some commenters to question the league’s motives. If the evidence is so clear-cut, why is the NFL going to such lengths to prove its case? Some users have suggested that the league’s priority is maintaining its image of credibility rather than being truly transparent about the incident.