10 Controversial Calls in Sports History

Many refs came under fire in recent years.

Crying Foul - Monday's match between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks came down to a 24-yard catch made by Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate — or was it an interception by a Green Bay defender? The incident is newest in this season's string of contested calls made by replacement referees, who are filling in because the NFL locked out its official refs in June after their contract expired. While two refs disagreed on the touchdown last night, the Seahawks were ultimately awarded the 14-12 win, a decision also upheld by the NFL on Tuesday, spurring the ire of NFL players and fans on Twitter. —Britt Middleton   (Photo: AP Photo/seattlepi.com, Joshua Trujillo)

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Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks (2012) - In the wake of outrage over the officiating of Monday's game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, BET.com looks at 10 game-changing calls by sports referees. —Britt Middleton In the Sept. 25, 2012, game, one referee called a game-winning touchdown for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate, but a second ref called the play an interception by a Green Bay defender. Ultimately, the Seahawks were handed the 14-12 win, but the replacement refs officiating the game (in place for NFL officials in a lockout) would come under fire by players and fans. (Photo: Joshua Trujillo/AP Photo/seattlepi.com)

Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers (2008) - In the final minute of this game, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler dropped the ball onto the grass and it bounced into the hands of Chargers linebacker Tim Dobbins. But NFL referee Ed Hochuli ruled it an incomplete pass. Denver went on to score a touchdown and a two-point conversion to win 39-38, though Hochuli would apologize and later accept a downgrade in rank. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

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Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers (2008) - In the final minute of this game, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler dropped the ball onto the grass and it bounced into the hands of Chargers linebacker Tim Dobbins. But NFL referee Ed Hochuli ruled it an incomplete pass. Denver went on to score a touchdown and a two-point conversion to win 39-38, though Hochuli would apologize and later accept a downgrade in rank. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders (2002) - This AFC divisional playoff game, best known as the "Tuck Rule Game," came down to an official call that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had not been sacked by Raiders' cornerback Charles Woodson. In the end, the ball was given back to the Pats, who ended the game with a 23-yard field goal and a 16-13 win in overtime (the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl title that year). (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)

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New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders (2002) - This AFC divisional playoff game, best known as the "Tuck Rule Game," came down to an official call that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had not been sacked by Raiders' cornerback Charles Woodson. In the end, the ball was given back to the Pats, who ended the game with a 23-yard field goal and a 16-13 win in overtime (the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl title that year). (Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres (1999) - In the final match of the 1999 Stanley Cup series, Dallas Stars player Brett Hull's game-winning goal was contested because it appeared he was not in full possession of the puck before scoring. Ultimately, officials allowed the goal, giving the Stars the edge over the Buffalo Sabres. The Stars won the series 4-2.  (Photo: Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty images)

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Dallas Stars vs. Buffalo Sabres (1999) - In the final match of the 1999 Stanley Cup series, Dallas Stars player Brett Hull's game-winning goal was contested because it appeared he was not in full possession of the puck before scoring. Ultimately, officials allowed the goal, giving the Stars the edge over the Buffalo Sabres. The Stars won the series 4-2.  (Photo: Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty images)

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions (1998) - In the 1998 NFL Thanksgiving Day game, Pittsburgh Steelers' running back Jerome Bettis claimed he called "tails" and was outraged when the toss was declared in favor of the Lions. Referee Phil Luckett later told reporters he heard Bettis say "heads-tails" and went with "heads" as the player's first answer. (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty)

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions (1998) - In the 1998 NFL Thanksgiving Day game, Pittsburgh Steelers' running back Jerome Bettis claimed he called "tails" and was outraged when the toss was declared in favor of the Lions. Referee Phil Luckett later told reporters he heard Bettis say "heads-tails" and went with "heads" as the player's first answer. (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty)

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Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz (1998) - In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan came under fire by Utah Jazz fans for allegedly pushing Jazz guard/forward Bryon Russell and escaping without a foul. The Bulls went on to win the NBA Championship title, finishing the series 4-2. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport)

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Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz (1998) - In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan came under fire by Utah Jazz fans for allegedly pushing Jazz guard/forward Bryon Russell and escaping without a foul. The Bulls went on to win the NBA Championship title, finishing the series 4-2. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport)

New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles (1996) - In game one in the 1996 American League Championship Series, 12-year-old Yankee fan Jeffrey Maier reached out and caught a fly ball intended for Orioles right fielder Tony Tarasco. Umpire Rich Garcia signaled a home run for Yankee rookie Derek Jeter, but "upon seeing a replay after the game, Garcia admitted he had been wrong in awarding Jeter a homer," MLB.com writes. (Photo: Al Bello/Allsport/Getty)

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New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles (1996) - In game one in the 1996 American League Championship Series, 12-year-old Yankee fan Jeffrey Maier reached out and caught a fly ball intended for Orioles right fielder Tony Tarasco. Umpire Rich Garcia signaled a home run for Yankee rookie Derek Jeter, but "upon seeing a replay after the game, Garcia admitted he had been wrong in awarding Jeter a homer," MLB.com writes. (Photo: Al Bello/Allsport/Getty)

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks (1995) - In the 1995 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, referee Hue Hollins ruled that Scottie Pippen fouled New York Knicks guard Hubert Davis. Davis' penalty shot helped clench the game for the New York Knicks. (Photo: Simon Bruty/ALLSPORT/Getty)

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Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks (1995) - In the 1995 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, referee Hue Hollins ruled that Scottie Pippen fouled New York Knicks guard Hubert Davis. Davis' penalty shot helped clench the game for the New York Knicks. (Photo: Simon Bruty/ALLSPORT/Getty)

Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins (1991) - In Game 2 of the MLB World Series, Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek, above, was accused of lifting the leg of Atlanta Braves player Ron Gant off base to get him called out. Gant was ruled out and, along with his coaches, cried foul on the call. But umpire Drew Coble ruled it fair. The Twins won the match and the rest of the series that year. (Photo: Ken Levine/ Getty)

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Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins (1991) - In Game 2 of the MLB World Series, Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek, above, was accused of lifting the leg of Atlanta Braves player Ron Gant off base to get him called out. Gant was ruled out and, along with his coaches, cried foul on the call. But umpire Drew Coble ruled it fair. The Twins won the match and the rest of the series that year. (Photo: Ken Levine/ Getty)

University of Colorado vs. University of Missouri (1990) - In an October 6, 1990, game, officials allowed the Colorado Buffaloes a fifth down, which they used to score a game-winning touchdown against the Missouri Tigers with a final score of 33-31. (Photo: Tom DeFrisco/ Getty)

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University of Colorado vs. University of Missouri (1990) - In an October 6, 1990, game, officials allowed the Colorado Buffaloes a fifth down, which they used to score a game-winning touchdown against the Missouri Tigers with a final score of 33-31. (Photo: Tom DeFrisco/ Getty)