Ex-NFL referee says officials got controversial overruling of Ravens touchdown in loss to Steelers correct

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely nearly had a touchdown grab against the Pittsburgh Steelers that would have put the Ravens in the lead late in the fourth quarter, but that was not to be, as instant replay review overturned the call on the field.

So, what is actually the right call? CBS rules analyst and former NFL referee Gene Steratore says it was the right call because Likely did not satisfy all three parts of what constitutes a catch.

While he obviously had both feet in bounds and secured control of the ball initially, he did not maintain the ball long enough to perform a football move, according to Steratore.

“He has to have time to accomplish number three, which is execute a football move,” Steratore said on the CBS broadcast. “It’s that element right there that are ruling he did not finish the third element.”

NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth says that rule is exactly why Likely did not get the touchdown. Instead, the ball was ripped out by cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

“The receiver controlled the ball in the air, had his right foot down, then left foot down…..the third step is an act common to the game and before he could get the third foot down, the ball was ripped out. Therefore, it was an incomplete pass,” Butterworth said.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he did not think it was a touchdown initially when he saw it on the field. Most of the Steelers team did not think that.

Porter kept fighting, and he fought to get the ball out, which allowed that call to be made.

“I just kept fighting.” Porter said. “It was really up to the ref to rule if it was a touchdown or not. I’m glad they chose to give no touchdown.”

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he received the same explanation. He also thought the overturned interception that Aaron Rodgers caught should have gone in favor of the Ravens rather than the Steelers holding onto the ball.

Either way, the call changed the game and the Steelers eventually got a key stop on that possession, allowing them to eke out a 27-22 win behind a few clutch plays by their defense.