The Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football this week ended with a controversy.
Trailing by eight points late in the fourth quarter, the Vikings got the ball back deep in their own territory. Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold was then sacked in his own end zone to seal a 30-20 loss for the Vikings.
Rams pass rusher Byron Young committed a blatant facemask penalty on the sack, but the official did not throw a flag, sparking much controversy.
Among those who chimed in on the incident was former Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson.
“NFL should be ashamed the refs are terrible every week smh,” Jackson tweeted.
This missed facemask call against the Vikings is one of the most egregious I have ever had the displeasure of witnessing. Absolutely inexcusable missed call. A win has been gifted to the Rams. There are not enough words to describe how ill I am pic.twitter.com/C0s11A7Hwk
— Kole Musgrove (@KoleMusgrove23) October 25, 2024
Jackson, 36, played for the Broncos from 2019-2023. He is now on the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills.
“Referee combine is needed smh. How you gonna test the players but not the mf watching them š¤£š¤£š¤£,” Jackson wrote in a follow-up tweet.
Jackson was repeatedly fined and suspended twice for his illegal hits with the Broncos last season.
“And bro will go home with no consequences and all his money and in line to call a game next week,” Jackson wrote. “But the players take on all the consequences. For hits, PIās, etc ā¦. This [expletive] pathetic smh.”
Jackson was certainly not alone in his criticism of the missed call.
“Canāt see a facemask 3 feet in front of them, but we want refs to decide what is and isnāt a āhip dropā tackle in real time. šš” J.J. Watt tweeted.
Young appeared to expect a penalty based on his reaction after the play. He took to Twitter/X following the game with a funny response.
It was just so loud in there had to cover up my ears ya know. https://t.co/R3tfgF79NT
— B.Y. (@byron_97) October 25, 2024
With the win, the Rams improved to 3-4. The Vikings dropped to 5-2. The Broncos are not scheduled to play either team this season.
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