The Worst Calls in Football History

American football is a game of inches, where every play can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. Referees are tasked with making split-second decisions on the field, but they are not infallible. Over the years, there have been some egregious errors that have left fans and players alike scratching their heads in disbelief. Here are five of the worst calls in American football history.

 1. The Immaculate Reception (1972) The Immaculate Reception is one of the most famous plays in NFL history, but it was also one of the most controversial. In the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, the Steelers were trailing by one point with just seconds remaining in the game. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw launched a pass towards running back Franco Harris, who tipped the ball into the air. As the ball floated towards the ground, Harris miraculously caught it and ran it into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. However, it was unclear whether the ball had touched the ground or a Raider before Harris caught it, which would have resulted in an incomplete pass. The referees ultimately ruled it a touchdown, but the controversy surrounding the play persists to this day. 

2. Fail Mary (2012) The Fail Mary is a prime example of the impact that replacement referees can have on a game. In a 2012 Monday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks, the Packers were leading 12-7 with just seconds remaining in the game. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson launched a Hail Mary pass towards the end zone, which was intercepted by Packers safety M.D. Jennings. However, Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate also had his hands on the ball, leading to a scrum in the end zone. After a prolonged period of confusion, the referees ruled that Tate had caught the ball for a game-winning touchdown. Replays clearly showed that Tate had not caught the ball, and the call was widely criticized by fans and analysts alike. 

3. The Tuck Rule Game (2002) The Tuck Rule Game is one of the most infamous games in NFL history, thanks to a controversial ruling that ultimately decided the outcome. In a 2002 playoff game between the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders, the Patriots were trailing 13-10 with just over two minutes remaining in the game. Quarterback Tom Brady dropped back to pass and was hit by Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson, causing him to fumble the ball. The Raiders recovered the fumble and appeared to have sealed the victory, but the referees invoked the little-known Tuck Rule, which states that if a quarterback's arm is moving forward while attempting a pass, any subsequent fumble is considered an incomplete pass. The call was hotly contested, but it ultimately gave the Patriots a second chance, which they capitalized on by driving down the field and kicking a game-tying field goal. The Patriots would go on to win the game in overtime.

 4. The Incomplete Pass In Super Bowl XLIII between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, a controversial call in the fourth quarter may have cost the Cardinals a chance at winning the game. With just over two minutes left in the game and the Cardinals trailing by four points, quarterback Kurt Warner threw a pass to receiver Anquan Boldin, who appeared to make a diving catch in the end zone. The referees on the field initially ruled the play a touchdown, but upon further review, they reversed the call, ruling that Boldin had not maintained control of the ball. The Cardinals ultimately turned the ball over on downs, and the Steelers went on to win the game. 

5. The Music City Miracle The Music City Miracle is one of the most famous plays in NFL history, but it is also one of the most controversial. In a 2000 playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills, the Titans were trailing 16-15 with just seconds left in the game. The Titans received the kickoff and lateralled the ball multiple times before Kevin Dyson ran it in for the game-winning touchdown. However, the Bills argued that Frank Wycheck's lateral to Dyson was actually a forward pass, which would have made the play illegal. The officials reviewed the play and ultimately ruled that it was a legal lateral, giving the Titans the victory. The controversy surrounding the play has persisted for years, with many Bills fans still believing that it was an illegal forward pass.