NBA Referees issue statement on Dak Prescott inciting fan reaction

Dak Prescott was furious with the officiating in the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but according to the NBA Referees’ Association, that doesn’t give Prescott any excuse to incite fan violence.

The Cowboys and 49ers’ controversial finish shed light on NFL officiating for what seemed like the umpteenth time this season. After a run by quarterback Dak Prescott ended in-bounds, a referee rushed forward to spot the ball but made contact with the players in the process. The resulting delay allowed the clock to reach 0:00 and the 49ers won 23-17 on the road.

After the game, Cowboy fans were spotted throwing trash onto the field. Many though the fans were pelting Cowboys players, who had just finished a once-promising season with an early NFL Playoffs exit, but DeMarcus Lawrence — who was inadvertently hit by trash — said that they were pelting referees, not the players. Prescott’s response?

“Credit to them,” Prescott said.

The NBA Referees’ Association responded to Prescott’s comments with immense disappointment.

“The NBRA condemns the comments by Dak Prescott condoning violence against game officials,” they said in a Twitter statement. “As an NFL leader, he should know better. We encourage the NFL to take action to discourage this deplorable behavior in the future.”

NFL official responds to criticism following controversial finish

A controversial finish to the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers game again put the NFL officials under the spotlight on Wildcard Weekend. After a run by quarterback Dak Prescott ended in-bounds, a referee rushed forward to spot the ball but made contact with the players in the process. The resulting delay allowed the clock to reach 0:00 and the 49ers won 23-17 on the road.

A transcript of the interview between Pro Football Writers Association pool reporter Todd Archer and referee Alex Kemp revealed the details of what happened in the final seconds of the game. The interview started with an emphasis on the play, asking whether the mechanics went to plan.

“The umpire spotted the ball properly,” Kemp told Archer. He also confirmed that there was no communication between the on-field officials and the NFL’s New York replay booth.

When pressed about the collision between the official and the Cowboys’ players, Kemp explained the NFL rules which govern that situation and reaffirmed that it was handled properly.

“The umpire was simply spotting the ball properly. He collided with the players as he was setting the ball because he was moving into the proper spot.”