The Chicago Bears came so close to upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. While they lost 29-27, most felt it wasn’t because the Steelers outplayed them. It was more due to some highly dubious penalty calls by the referees. A 15-yard lowblock on James Daniels that didn’t actually happen. The pass interference on Jaylon Johnson was a joke. Yet the most egregious came when head ref Tony Corrente flagged defensive end Cassius Marsh for taunting after a critical sack that would’ve forced a punt. People couldn’t believe it, from fans to even former players like Shannon Sharpe and Chris Simms.
The reasoning he used was Marsh looking over at the Steelers’ sideline after the sack in a “taunting manner.” Some though feel Corrente instigated the entire thing when he bumped into the defender after the play. Only then did he throw the flag. Unsurprisingly, the NFL backed his explanation and no punishment is expected. However, the incident has caused an uproar among many. One person that isn’t surprised Corrente was involved was Simms himself. It turns out the ref has a history of taking personal control of games like that.
The quarterback shared such a story on NBC Sports with Mike Florio.
That adds some much-needed context to this entire situation. As much as NFL would love to have people think the officials are unbiased and totally professional, they’re human beings. They have character flaws such as taking things a player says to them too personally. As a result, they withhold throwing a flag on a late hit when they should. Too often it felt like the game was rigging against the Bears in Pittsburgh. Like it was a clear bias by Corrente and his crew.
Sure, there are times it can feel that way when some calls don’t go your way. Yet it’s impossible to deny it this time because the visual evidence is so obvious. With Chris Simms adding even more fuel to the fire, it’s hard not to feel like Chicago played two opponents in that game. The Steelers and the refs. That they still came less than two minutes away from winning is a testament to their character.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Here’s hoping they don’t see him again this year. If they do and more bad calls come their way? It could get ugly for Corrente.
