CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore faces backlash for defending questionable call in Packers-Steelers

NFL rules analyst for CBS Gene Steratore is currently facing backlash after he defended a questionable call in the game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers over the weekend.

That call came when a seemingly backward pass out of the hand of Steelers’ quarterback Kenny Pickett was called incomplete. The Packers pretty clearly recovered the ball and it should have been a fumble and a turnover. However, even after review, the referees got this one wrong and called it incomplete.

“I don’t know how that stands. I’m sorry, I will disagree vehemently with that one,” analyst Charles Davis said.

This was ruled to be a forward pass. How do you see it? pic.twitter.com/Zo3eFHy5Om

— Packers Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) November 12, 2023

Despite what seemed like a fairly obvious missed call. Gene Steratore, a former referee himself, refused to be critical of the decision. Instead, he actually defended it.

You know, sometimes these are really difficult in that ‘stands world’ because of that angle and when you’re looking at it,” Steratore responded. “To me, it was just not enough to overturn one way or the other, guys. I know you may disagree with me, Charles, but I just felt like it was a tough one.”

Charles Davis quickly replied, explaining that he thought the referee was in the wrong position to make the call in the first place.

“I disagree, Gene,” Davis responded. “Gene, I think if the official on the side moves himself in position and goes back and side straddles, he sees clearly that, that’s a lateral, and that should have been Green Bay’s football.”

Pittsburgh ended up winning the game 23-19. So, there’s no way to say that this call didn’t have a massive impact on the game. Green Bay should have had the ball around the 10-yard line, where the Packers almost certainly would have scored. Instead, the Steelers were allowed to continue their drive.

Even fans on social media were critical of how Steratore handled the call. One Packers fan even called for Steratore to be suspended over saying that it was a good call. Others, meanwhile, praised Davis for being willing to debate the call.

Gene Steratore blasts controversial offsides call on Steelers field goal

Despite not going after the referees for the bad lateral call in this Steelers game, Gene Steratore was willing to call them out for an awful offsides call that went against the Steelers when playing the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Before the half, Pittsburgh lined up for a field goal and made it. However, a flag for lining up in the neutral zone took it off the board. From five yards further back, the Steelers missed. Later, replays showed the Jaguars were possibly offsides, but the Steelers definitely were not.

“I know that they put some emphasis there because they want to make sure it [neutral zone] is completely clean and no one can that inch or two in those scenarios. That’s the art of the game, though,” Steratore said.

“But this is a field goal, where someone’s left pinky might be in the neutral zone. Is there a competitive advantage to that play? Do we officiate that field goal the same way we would officiate a fourth-and-inches at the goal line on a ‘tush push?’ No. So, get in the moment. Know what you’re dealing with. This is an assumption from me, but that’s where they went on that play. We’ve got to be aware of situational football in officiating. In my opinion, you just don’t go there [making that call]. You just don’t go there.”