The San Francisco 49ers had a huge play they needed to put themselves in field goal range late in the second quarter of Super Bowl 54, with Jimmy Garoppolo uncorking a long pass to his dependable tight end George Kittle that he caught.
But a flag came out for offensive pass interference, wiping out a chance to take the lead before halftime. Kittle was called for pushing off on his Chiefs defender.
On Twitter, fans were quick to talk about Kyle Rudolph, the Minnesota Vikings tight end who definitely wasn’t playing in this game, but who had caught the playoff game-winning touchdown for the Vikes last month in a win over the New Orleans Saints. Former NFL officials thought Rudolph should have been called for offensive PI then.
Here are the comparisons:
If Kyle Rudolph wasn’t offensive pass interference against the Saints then that wasn’t PI on Kittle.
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) February 3, 2020
No pass interference on Rudolph
Pass interference on Kittle
Figure it out, NFL#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/zjjRAKficq— Tony Clements (@TonyClementsTC) February 3, 2020
I notice this wasn’t a penalty when Kyle Rudolph did it. https://t.co/OGxLDn7J5G
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) February 3, 2020
So that is OPI but Kyle Rudolph in Saints v Vikes isn’t?!?! Dear lawd!!
— Ian Fitzsimmons (@Ianfitzespn) February 3, 2020
George Kittle used the exact same offensive move that Kyle Rudolph did to give the Vikings a walk off playoff win. It’s either offensive PI or it isn’t. The replay isn’t the issue the officiating is. #SuperBowlLIV
— Donnovan Bennett (@donnovanbennett) February 3, 2020
I would love to hear a genuine explanation of how this is OPI and what Kyle Rudolph did isn’t, or vice versa. Really I don’t care, just be consistent pic.twitter.com/E3FFwXcmDm
— jtidwell (@jaketidwell97) February 3, 2020
My question is… HOW IS THAT A PUSH OFF AND YOU DONT CALL THE ONE ON RUDOLPH VS THE SAINTS pic.twitter.com/OM7INtvnob
— Jake West (@CoachWest4) February 3, 2020
(If that's OPI then so was Kyle Rudolph's catch)
— Mason Ginsberg (@MasonGinsberg) February 3, 2020
And the Kyle Rudolph play didn’t “rise to the level”? https://t.co/aB57D1fNC9
— Bob Papa (@BobPapa_NFL) February 3, 2020
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