Hochuli apologizes to fans for blown call in Chargers-Broncos game

BAMAPHIN 22 · 09-18-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Ed Hochuli threw a flag on himself.

After blowing a call that helped the Denver Broncos beat the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, the referee admitted he made a mistake on Wednesday and is answering e-mail from some fans telling them that, according to multiple media reports."I'm getting hundreds of e-mails -- hate mail -- but I'm responding to it all," Hochuli wrote to several Chargers fans, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. "People deserve a response.

You can rest assured that nothing anyone can say can make me feel worse than I already feel about my mistake on the fumble play. You have no idea ... Affecting the outcome of a game is a devastating feeling. Officials strive for perfection -- I failed miserably. Although it does no good to say it, I am very, very sorry."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3594778

Vertical Limit · 09-18-2008, 01:09 PM

How the hell do people get access to things like e-mail/phone numbers? Wouldn't that be something you make private?

shula_guy · 09-18-2008, 01:22 PM

At least he is being a stand up guy about it

BobDole · 09-18-2008, 01:36 PM

i love the fact that he came out and admitted his mistake - and how he feels awful about it - and that he is even answering his hate mail. it was a bonehead call that cost the chargers the game - and it should never happen - but people make mistakes and he is handling it like a man.

i knew there was a reason why he was my favorite ref.

emeraldfin · 09-18-2008, 05:16 PM

Thats the least he could do. But fair play to him

3Ply Stagliano · 09-18-2008, 05:51 PM

As has been said before, it was a terrible call at just about the worst time possible but he's been handling it as well as possible. It's good to see people taking responsibility for something they've done wrong and not try to make excuses.

BigJP · 09-18-2008, 09:10 PM

He is handling just like he should, a man. He admitted his mistake and apologized. Granted if he would have done it to the fins I would probably be calling for his head, sorry just being honest

SpaceMountain16 · 09-18-2008, 11:38 PM

When will he apologize for rigging the Super Bowl in favor of the Steelers?

ih8brady · 09-19-2008, 01:28 AM

The NFL needs to change. That was a horrible and obvious call. The loophole that allowed it to be unreviewable needs to be erased.

Boltsfan619 · 09-19-2008, 11:33 PM

As a Chargers fan part of me is happy to see that he maned up but there is still that part of me that is upset we were not first in our division.

At the same time Ted "Cover who?" defence Cortrell did not have his guys ready that day. Coverage was a @#$#ing disaster and I know the Defence is capable of playing a lot better then it did even without Merriman. So yea... It should not have come down to that call, Chargers should have had the game won long before that.

GoonBoss · 09-20-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shula_guy

At least he is being a stand up guy about it

QFT.

He blew the call. At least he's sacking up and admitting it. Doesn't make it any better or less blown, but, it's all you can ask the guy to do at this point.

GoonBoss · 09-20-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceMountain16

When will he apologize for rigging the Super Bowl in favor of the Steelers?

If you believe the Superbowl was rigged, then, why do you watch football?

NYinBostonFin · 09-20-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ih8brady

The NFL needs to change. That was a horrible and obvious call. The loophole that allowed it to be unreviewable needs to be erased.

I agree the rule needs to change. Replay should be available on all plays. If something is wrong anytime, it should be reviewable...otherwise why have it at all?

Stand up guy though. I really feel sorry for him.

djfresh47 · 09-20-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYinBostonFin

I agree the rule needs to change. Replay should be available on all plays. If something is wrong anytime, it should be reviewable...otherwise why have it at all?

Stand up guy though. I really feel sorry for him.

If the play is blown dead the ref can't assume San Diego would've had the ball. On that play it was fairly obvious but still. The MNF call with Desean Jackson was blown. It's a similar situation since it was ruled he scored the play was dead and it couldn't be Dallas ball, even though Pacman was the guy who ended up with the ball in his hands.

Hochuli can be standup about it but that was one of the worst calls i've seen. The ball went behind Cutler so I really don't think their is an excuse.

09-18-2008, 01:09 PM	#2
Vertical Limit Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Miami, FL Age: 21 Posts: 5,729 Thanks: 156 Thanked 155 Times in 106 Posts	How the hell do people get access to things like e-mail/phone numbers? Wouldn't that be something you make private? __________________ * Ronnie Brown's lack of production NOT HIS FAULT.

09-18-2008, 01:36 PM	#4
BobDole Bon Jon Bovi Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: casselberry Posts: 1,986 Thanks: 210 Thanked 225 Times in 184 Posts FH Badges Total Awards: 1	i love the fact that he came out and admitted his mistake - and how he feels awful about it - and that he is even answering his hate mail. it was a bonehead call that cost the chargers the game - and it should never happen - but people make mistakes and he is handling it like a man. i knew there was a reason why he was my favorite ref. __________________

09-18-2008, 05:16 PM	#5
emeraldfin Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Carlow, Ireland Age: 23 Posts: 917 Thanks: 77 Thanked 121 Times in 80 Posts	Thats the least he could do. But fair play to him __________________

09-18-2008, 05:51 PM	#6
3Ply Stagliano What a schmuck! Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ireland Age: 34 Posts: 490 Thanks: 27 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	As has been said before, it was a terrible call at just about the worst time possible but he's been handling it as well as possible. It's good to see people taking responsibility for something they've done wrong and not try to make excuses. __________________ What a nerd I am!

09-18-2008, 11:38 PM	#8
SpaceMountain16 The Loose Cannon Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Just 9 Milimeters Away Posts: 3,901 Thanks: 115 Thanked 772 Times in 460 Posts	When will he apologize for rigging the Super Bowl in favor of the Steelers? __________________ It's not negativity, it's realism, and beneath it all there is only passion. -- GO DOLPHINS --

09-18-2008, 01:22 PM	#3
shula_guy FinHeaven VIP Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,386 Thanks: 371 Thanked 366 Times in 256 Posts FH Badges Total Awards: 1	At least he is being a stand up guy about it

09-18-2008, 09:10 PM	#7
BigJP Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 95 Thanks: 9 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	He is handling just like he should, a man. He admitted his mistake and apologized. Granted if he would have done it to the fins I would probably be calling for his head, sorry just being honest

09-19-2008, 01:28 AM	#9
ih8brady 2008 AFC East Champions Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,775 Thanks: 271 Thanked 461 Times in 324 Posts	The NFL needs to change. That was a horrible and obvious call. The loophole that allowed it to be unreviewable needs to be erased. __________________

09-19-2008, 11:33 PM	#10
Boltsfan619 Go Chargers Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 65 Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	As a Chargers fan part of me is happy to see that he maned up but there is still that part of me that is upset we were not first in our division. At the same time Ted "Cover who?" defence Cortrell did not have his guys ready that day. Coverage was a @#$#ing disaster and I know the Defence is capable of playing a lot better then it did even without Merriman. So yea... It should not have come down to that call, Chargers should have had the game won long before that. __________________ Chargers Fan. I come in peace, I am not here to flame or make mindless idiotic comments. I am only here to discuss and be educated about my opponent. Chargers 2-2. That was ugly... lets not scare me like that again ok boys?

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