It is no secret around the NFL that fans believe that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady gets favorable calls. Jerome Boger quite possibly today gave the best example of this.
Late in the fourth quarter, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett made what looked like the biggest play of the game. Yet instead of getting off the field, Boger throws a penalty flag. The call, roughing the passer giving the Buccaneers an automatic first down and the win.
The call itself, quite possibly the worst in NFL history. What makes it worse is that Boger refused to apologize or show any kind of accountability for his mistake. Instead, he gave a horrible excuse for it.
Since he refuses to admit his mistake, the NFL needs to discipline Boger severely. At this point an indefinite suspension is warranted. No official should make a rouging the passer call so egregious or possibly change an outcome of a game. Still that is what exactly happened.
Interestingly enough last week San Francisco 49ers defensive end sacked Matthew Stafford with more force than that of Jarrett. Was there a flag on that play? No.
Also, if Falcons head coach Arthur Smith went off on Boger, got an unsportsmanlike penalty called on him and ejected, it would have been justifiable. Social media threw no punches either. Here is a look at the play itself, Boger’s excuse, and what has been said so far.
This may be the WORST roughing the passer penalty I’ve ever seen. Embarrassingly bad call. The Falcons got screwed.
(🎥: @TrainIsland)pic.twitter.com/KdvC0mi2KJ
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 9, 2022
Referee Jerome Boger told pool reporter @gregauman that the roughing the passer penalty on #Falcons DT Grady Jarrett was for “unnecessarily throwing (Tom Brady) to the ground.” pic.twitter.com/rqxyNzjd6I
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 9, 2022
Why act surprised with Jerome Boger roughing call against Brady. He was same ref in the controversial Bengals vs Raiders playoff wild card game. Wake up folks. #NFL
— Raider Jay (@RaiderJay10) October 10, 2022
@NFLOfficiating Jerome Boger needs to be disciplined for his roughing the passer call on Grady Jarrett in the Atlanta-Tampa game today; He clearly cost the Falcons a chance of winning the game; Jarrett could not have done any less to avoid contact with Brady; This was a travesty
— Andykelley (@Andykelley) October 10, 2022