Catch or no catch? It’s one of the most consistently confounding questions asked during NFL games. And nobody is more synonymous with those controversies than longtime NFL receiver, Dez Bryant. One such controversy arose during Thanksgiving’s game between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Bryant did not stay silent on the matter.
New England’s Hunter Henry appeared to catch a touchdown pass late in the third quarter. But as he was going to the ground, Henry briefly lost control of the ball. Two questions existed here. One, did Henry have control of the ball before going to the ground? Two, even if he didn’t, did the ball even hit the ground?
Upon further review, the touchdown was taken away from Henry and the Patriots. It was ruled that he did not have established possession before going to the ground and that the ball did hit the ground.
Did the refs get this right or should it have remained a TD for Hunter Henry and the Pats? pic.twitter.com/rGGP8Srrrm
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 25, 2022
Bryant has no doubt had his fill of these conversations, given what happened to him and the Dallas Cowboys in a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers following the 2014 season.
When the play was being reviewed, Dez made it clear that he thought it was a catch. So, he was not happy when the pass was ruled incomplete.
I’m turning this game off SMFH
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) November 25, 2022
But this wasn’t just a Dez Bryant issue. Several in the NFL world voiced their frustration that the touchdown was overturned.
That was a catch by Hunter Henry 🤷🏿♂️
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) November 25, 2022
I actually got robbed yesterday and still might be more mad about what just happened to Hunter Henry
— Alexandra Francisco (@ByAlFrancisco) November 25, 2022
How in the world is this an incomplete pass?
The NFL really makes no sense. Hunter Henry caught it. pic.twitter.com/wIRwtkC4lq
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) November 25, 2022
Hunter Henry was down with the ball across the plane before the ball ever “hit the ground” and rolled ever so slightly. Robbery of a call pic.twitter.com/Dc1BDebvAx
— Spurs Legacy (@spurs_four) November 25, 2022
Taking that Hunter Henry TD catch away from the New England Patriots is part of the reason the NFL is an unwatchable product these days. Nobody knows what a catch is or isn't anymore. Total bullcrap that is called incomplete with his hand under the ball
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) November 25, 2022
That looked like a catch to 90% of the viewing audience, so naturally it’s incomplete
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 25, 2022
100% agree
— Sean Payton (@SeanPayton) November 25, 2022
The NFL has consistently tried to clarify this rule but to no avail. Over the years, it has routinely confounded players, coaches and fans alike. Clearly, that’s still the case.
[Dez Bryant on Twitter, Photo Credit: NBC]
