The NFL's division playoffs were packed this weekend, both in attendance and suspense. But the drama came to a head in the 4th quarter of Sunday's Colts-Steelers game. If you've read this far then you probably already know what I'm talking about: Troy Polamalu's stolen interception.

Questionable calls are as old as sports themselves. On Monday afternoon the NFL officially declared that a mistake had been made, and Troy Polamalu actually made an interception. What is the NFL to do now? Say 'Good job, here's a scratch and sniff sticker, try harder next time'?

It seems that referees have the ability to get away with murder, not that NFL players don't. These poor calls were not limited to the Steelers/Colts game nor were they limited to the playoffs. However with the post season emotions building, the heat being put on officials seems to have come to a climax.

When the NFL puts its stamp of approval on its merchandise, its players, its coaches and its games, it says something. When a player in the NFL acts out, it makes the entire NFL look bad. Why should it be any different for a referee?

I will not take a stand as far out as Joey Porter, Pittsburgh's always vocal/insightful line backer. He claimed the referees had a flat out vested interest in seeing the Colts win. In his words 'I know they (the officials) wanted Indy to win this game; the whole world loves Peyton Manning.'

Because there is no body designed to govern the calls of the officials on the ground the referees have final say. In an era of video playback and instant replay, the work of sports officials should be dramatically easier. When officials with every advantage fail to make good judgment, the NFL fails as well.

NFL officials need to be held to the same standards as NFL players. For the NFL to move on and excuse an error of this magnitude (which was made during a playoff game) would be far too lenient. If players can be fined by the NFL for conduct, both on and off the field why can't the referees?

If the NFL were to do nothing to correct and prevent this problem it would simply taint the organization with an aura of obtuseness. Pete Morelli, the referee who some how determined that Troy Polamalu failed to intercept a pass, should feel quite fortunate that the NFL fans are less violent than EPL fans.

Hunting this man down like a soccer ref is pretty harsh. Even firing him is too harsh. The NFL just needs to do something to guarantee the outcome of all its games are determined by the players and not by the officials.

Karl Gustafson

Sophomore

American Studies