Former NFL official criticizes Cowboys defender for critical error

The Dallas Cowboys added another chapter into their collection of heartbreaking playoff losses on Sunday. Now, criticism is coming from a bevy of different places — even a former NFL referee was frustrated by their performance.

After watching the Cowboys continually shoot themselves in the foot, former NFL referee Gene Steratore took to Twitter to emphasize a critical mistake.

Just a completely unnecessary and costly holding penalty in #SFvsDAL. Plays like these can be the difference in the game and by committing such an egregious hold, you leave the refs no choice but to throw the flag. pic.twitter.com/BfrACo9fJa

— Gene Steratore (@GeneSteratore) January 17, 2022

“Just a completely unnecessary and costly holding penalty in #SFvsDAL,” tweeted Steratore. “Plays like these can be the difference in the game. By committing such an egregious hold, you leave the refs no choice but to throw the flag.”

To illustrate, the transgression in questions was committed by defensive end Randy Gregory. Late in the game where every second mattered, Gregory simply bear-hugged a 49ers offensive lineman. Of course, the actions resulted in a holding penalty, and a fifteen-yard penalty against him.

In a game where the Cowboys lost by one second, Gregory gave the 49ers more time. Dallas made a collection of questionable decisions on Sunday, but Gregory’s holding penalty is up there.

Time runs out on the Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys season came to an end in an incredibly disappointing fashion after a controversial moment involving the officiating crew. After a scramble for extra yards with time expiring in the game, the Cowboys attempted to spike the ball for one last pass attempt into the end zone.

The official must touch the ball before it is snapped by the offense, by rule. As Prescott and his line did not give the referee the football, the official fought his way through the linemen and reset the ball’s position himself. As he pushed through the line and forced Prescott and the line to move their feet, the ball was unable to be snapped as the referee was not clear of the play.

The Cowboys lost the game 23-17. Their record-setting offense failed to find any traction against the 49ers when it mattered the most.

Adding to the controversial finish, the referee involved in the final play was involved in a similar strange moment earlier in the game as well. After a successful fake punt that earned them a first down, the Cowboys left their punting unit on the field in a strange formation as they attempted to get San Francisco to burn a timeout on the play.

The 49ers did not bite on the attempt. Dallas substituted their personnel with the offense and tried to snap the football. The same referee involved in the final play of the game stood in the middle of the field to make sure the defense was given time to set. He appeared to stand in the way for a much longer time than needed. The Cowboys received a delay-of-game penalty, as he hurried out of the Cowboys’ way.