NFL instructs refs not to use folded note cards to measure 1st downs
Duh.
The NFL's head of officials, Al Riveron, said Thursday that he's instructed league officials not to use folded note cards when measuring for first down, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Referee Gene Steratore caused controversy when he did just that during Sunday night's game between the Oakland Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys, using a folded piece of paper to determine if the spot of the ball was enough to give Dallas a first down.
It's a game of inches and also a game where we just make it up as we go and measure stuff with giant sticks and pieces of paper. pic.twitter.com/xhDSSTnxNk
- Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) December 18, 2017
Related: The 5 necessary questions after a piece of paper decided a 1st down
Fans and media members mocked Steratore's decision and questioned why a billion-dollar sports league would use such a crude tool for such an important call.
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