Late for Work: Ben Roethlisberger Has Surprising Take on Isaiah Likely’s Overturned Touchdown
Ben Roethlisberger’s Take on Isaiah Likely’s Overturned Touchdown Catch Will Surprise Ravens Fans
It seems everyone around the NFL has an opinion about Isaiah Likely’s overturned touchdown reception in the Ravens’ loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger weighed in, and his take will surprise Ravens fans.
Big Ben believes the Ravens were wronged, and the touchdown, which would’ve given Baltimore the lead with under three minutes left, should have stood.
The explanation given by NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth for the call being reversed is that Likely did not complete a third step, “an act common to the game,” before Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. knocked the ball out of his hands.
Roethlisberger contended that a third step or any other football move shouldn’t have been required because the catch was made in the end zone.
“Did he make a football move? No, he didn’t make a football move. I agree with that,” Roethlisberger said on his “Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger” podcast. “So, then people are going to say, ‘Why is it a touchdown?’ Here’s why. … He’s in the end zone, so he’s not thinking about making a football move. He doesn’t have to turn up the field. He doesn’t have to tuck it. As soon as he’s in the end zone and two feet are down, he’s thinking that’s a touchdown.
“If that same play happened on like the 30-yard line and he catches it like that, I guarantee you he’s going to twist up the field, he’s going to try to tuck it. He’s going to do something different. … But he’s like, ‘I don’t have to make a tuck or anything because I’m in the end zone. I possessed it and I got my feet down. I don’t have to do anything else.’ Again, if that’s in the middle of the field, he’s not going to hold the ball out.”
Roethlisberger understands why Ravens fans are upset with the decision, and he said Steelers fans would feel the same way if it had been a Pittsburgh receiver.
“If that was Pat Freiermuth, if that was DK Metcalf, and the exact same situation happened, how would Steelers fans be feeling?” Roethlisberger said. “I know Steelers fans are like, ‘That’s not a catch! Good call! Great call!’ If the roles were reversed, it would have been the most miserable thing in the world.”
