Childress: NFL apologized for overturned touchdown

[October 26, 2010]  EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota coach Brad Childress says the NFL has apologized for an overturned touchdown that cost the Vikings four points in a four-point loss at Green Bay.

Childress said Monday he called the league about Visanthe Shiancoe's nullified score late in the second quarter Sunday night. The replay review determined Shiancoe didn't have proper possession of the ball as he landed after his diving catch.

But Childress said NFL vice president of officiating Carl Johnson acknowledged the mistake, revealing at his news conference that Johnson said he was "disappointed that the call was reversed."

Spokesman Greg Aiello said league policy is not to comment on conversations between Johnson and the clubs. Aiello said Johnson "is obligated to give his factual opinion of any call that is questioned by a club." But the policy also "states that all such conversations are confidential and are not to be discussed publicly," Aiello said.

Childress also acknowledged he should have challenged a Packers touchdown, when Andrew Quarless did not appear to have possession of the ball as he hit the ground on his second-quarter catch.

[Associated Press]

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