NFL defends official moving Dont'a Hightower on blocked FG

Photo via NFL.com

Right before the Patriots blocked a 58-yard field goal attempt by Nick Folk that ended up being the final play of the game, an NFL official had Dont'a Hightower reposition himself because he was close to being in an illegal position.

Of course, there has been much controversy concerning the play ever since it happened. The kick was blocked and the Patriots barely survived to take a 27-25 win.

The NFL explained that what happened between Hightower and the official is a regular occurrence.

“It is a standard officiating procedure that occurs regularly,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said by email. “In fact, it is on [NFL V.P. of officiating] Dean Blandino’s video that went to the teams yesterday and will be on the version of it that goes to the media today.”

The report by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes that officials do this to prevent players from getting injured.

Regardless of that, people who are not supporters of the Patriots will find some way to say the Patriots cheated or that the officials are helping them win games.

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