NFL fans can put their minds to rest knowing that infamous refree Ed Hochuli will not be working the playoff eliminator Denver-San Diego game. To refresh everyone’s memory, Hochuli in Week 2 of the 2008 NFL season officiated the Chargers-Broncos game in Denver and was part of a huge officiating gaffe. In the final minute of the September game, Hochuli ruled that an apparent Chargers recovered fumble that had slipped from Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler’s grasp was an incomplete pass instead of a fumble and the Broncos went on to win 39-38. Of course replay could do nothing as usual and on the Monday after the game, Hochuli admitted his incorrect call followed by an avalanche of border-line extreme fan harassment.
Luckily the AFC West title game will be free of another Hoculi blunder as he will be in frigid Green Bay, Wisconsin refereeing the Lions-Packers game. The NFL has assigned referee John Parry to the AFC West showdown – for the record per league policy, officiating crews do not do two games between the same teams in any season.
Hopefully the Lions, who are trying to avoid NFL infamy by being the first 0-16 team in league history, will get a fair shot from Hochuli’s unit.
