|
"The games are getting out of control, and like I said in the first week, I said this, I'm OK with the replacement refs as long as they don't have a direct impact on the game," Rodgers said. "Obviously, last night, there was a direct impact on the game."
He added: "The game is being tarnished by an NFL who obviously cares more about saving some money than having the integrity of the game diminished."
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told KRLD-FM in Dallas that he didn't catch the end of the game.
"I cut it off about halftime," he said. "I just read a little note in the paper that the Seahawks pulled it out."
Packers guard T.J. Lang posted a message on his Twitter account criticizing the call, then challenged the NFL to "Fine me and use the money to pay the regular refs." On Tuesday, Lang apologized for using profanity in his posts -- but said that was the only thing he regretted.
Fellow Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton used his Twitter account to call on the NFL to come to Green Bay and apologize to the Packers.
"The NFL needs to get the refs back (before) we strike and they make no money!" Sitton posted after the game.
Rodgers, a players' union representative during the lockout, expressed skepticism about that happening and said, "Let's remember who we're dealing with."
"We're dealing with an NFL who locked out the players and said we're going to stand firm on our position," he said on the radio show. "... This is an NFL who gambled on some low-level referees, including the guy who makes the most important call last night, who's never had any professional experience."
After the so-called "Inaccurate Reception," a small Facebook group advocated an "Occupy Lambeau" protest movement before Sunday's game against New Orleans. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker used his Twitter account to call for the return of the regular officials -- a public show of support for locked-out unionized workers, an odd juxtaposition given his national reputation for going after public employee unions last year.
For all the bluster, few expect many empty seats or unwatched television sets on NFL Sundays.
"I mean, it's not the Packers' fault," Kroening said. "I pretty much live and die by watching them."
Mantuano, the other fan, said he was concerned that a team will miss the playoffs or a star player will get hurt because of a replacement official's mistake. He wondered aloud about the health of Rodgers, Tom Brady and Tony Romo.
Oddsmakers said millions of dollars changed hands on that now-famous play.
"Due to one call by the replacement refs, the bettors lost $150 million, and the bookie won $150 million for a total swing of $300 million on one debatably bad call," said RJ Bell of Las Vegas-based Pregame.com.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor