It will go down as one of the most controversial calls in NFL history. Unless you live in a cave, walk around with earplugs, or don’t own a TV, you know what I am talking about. The Broncos OT win that sent them to the AFC Championship game featured a game-changing play that had all the trappings of controversy: 1) It happened in an important game; 2) It occurred late in the game when the importance of every play is elevated; 3) The outcome of the play involved some level of subjectivity.
Regardless of the sport, these three qualities are prerequisites for high-level controversy. Let’s be honest. If “The Interception” had occurred on the first play of the game, we wouldn’t be talking about it. Similarly, if it happened in pre-season, the only ones talking about the play would have been a couple of NFL officials standing around a water cooler at their annual officiating certification seminar. And finally, for a play to be controversial, it can’t be black and white.
So, what does all this have to do with golf? Quite a bit, actually. Golf, like all sports, has had plenty of controversial rulings. In fact, one ruling that draws interesting parallels was the one we featured on the CGA Spirit of the Game Podcast last year. Much like “The Interception,” it occurred in a meaningful event, the U.S. Open, and at a critical time, the final round on the 15th hole. And most importantly, much like “The Interception” the ruling hinged on key technical terms and definitions.
To refresh your memory, the ruling involved Sam Burns and temporary water. Like most rulings, golf’s temporary water ruling and “The Interception” hinged on definitions. Temporary water is defined as “any temporary, visible accumulation of water on the ground (e.g., puddles from rain or irrigation) that is not in a penalty area and exists before or after a player takes their stance.”
In the case of “The Interception” the NFL rule book states: “A forward pass is complete (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) in the field of play, at the sideline, or in the end zone if a player, who is inbounds: secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, clearly performs any act common to the game (e.g., extend the ball forward, take an additional step, tuck the ball away and turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.” In this case the operative words are “maintains control.”
It is one thing to disagree with the ruling and another to disagree with the rule. In the case of Sam Burns, the comments we received were divided. Many reacted to the obvious presence of water splashing up after impact. In their minds, this was clearly “temporary water” based on simple common sense. Anyone who wasn’t blind could see the water splash up after Burns hit the ball. Those who read the definition of temporary water understood that the water that was clearly visible at impact was not visible before the stroke was played. The comments from this group focused their criticism on the rule itself rather than the ruling.
In the final analysis, our opinions on these things come down to: 1) the understanding of the rule; 2) the individual “eye test” (i.e., what you saw with your own eyes); and, let’s be honest, 3) your personal bias and rooting interest in the outcome.
So, Bronco fans, was it a catch or an interception?
