Controversy erupted in the NFL on Monday when linebacker Cassius Marsh accused a referee of intentionally contacting him to award him a penalty.
During a game between his Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Marsh made a quarterback sack on a third down from the rival team. He then celebrated, then, on his way to the sidelines, official Tony Corrente backed up slightly, causing the two men to collide slightly. The referee immediately awarded the Bears color holder a penalty for excessive taunting.
“On the way to the sidelines, the referee took his hip out and it’s pretty obvious,” Marsh said in a post-game conference, according to comments reported by The Score. If I did that to a referee or even touched him, I would be expelled from the game and suspended, in addition to receiving a fine. I think it was incredibly inappropriate.”
When questioned about it, Corrente replied that this season, the NFL pays particular attention to this type of foul and that the contact between him and the player had no bearing.
“I saw the player make a big play, run towards the opposing bench with a pose that led me to believe it was a joke,” the referee told the NBC Sports network.
“I think it was clear to everyone who saw the footage that I was not at fault,” Marsh added. I’ve done this celebratory gesture my entire career and it’s disappointing to see this sort of thing happen in a tight game like this. It’s difficult.”
The 15-yard penalty imposed on the athlete allowed the Steelers to make an offensive push that ended in a field goal. Pittsburgh won 29-27.
