Super Bowl referee had a very awkward coin toss procedure

Did they do that right?

The coin toss felt overly complicated during Super Bowl 54.

The San Francisco 49ers won the coin toss by calling tails, and cornerback Richard Sherman kept it simple: “Defer.”

And that’s where things got a bit awkward. The official, Bill Vinovich, turned to Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt.

“Do you want the ball?” Vinovich asked.

And Colquitt looked confused. Because of course the Chiefs wanted the ball. That’s really the only option. Because when Sherman said “defer,” he was not deferring receiving the ball, he was deferring making a decision until the second half. Meaning the Chiefs had to pick between:

  • The opportunity to receive the kickoff, or to kick off; or
  • The choice of goal his team will defend

And so the Chiefs chose to receive the kickoff, because when the 49ers have their decision to make to start the second half — the one Sherman deferred — they will obviously choose to get the ball.

Got that? These rules are needlessly complicated, as we’ve talked about already this year. You’ve probably always assumed that the team that wins the toss just decides to kick or receive in the first half, and then whichever team doesn’t get the ball to start the game gets the ball to start the second half. If only it were so simple.

Even Vinovich got tripped up as he concluded his announcement on the toss.

“San Francisco — excuse me, Kansas City will receive in the first half,” Vinovich said.

The coin toss shouldn’t be confusing. But ever since Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott miscommunicated with an official on the coin toss, the NFL has tried to make it fool-proof, which (of course) has made it hugely complicated.

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