As the labor dispute with the NFL Referees Association continues, the NFL has started hiring replacement officials. That said, the NFL has been down this road before, and one head coach doesn't have fond memories.

On the Pat McAfee Show, the Steelers HC Mike McCarthy discussed the dispute and a past loss involving replacement referees.

“I think technology would take care of that today,” the current Pittsburgh Steelers coach said.

In 2012, the NFL used replacement officials from lower-level college and minor pro leagues because of a 110-day lockout of the NFLRA, during which the infamous “Fail Mary” pass was played.

The Seattle Seahawks won against the Green Bay Packers (14-12) on Monday Night Football that year. But it was an unfair decision. 

The Seahawks' rookie QB, Russell Wilson, threw a Hail Mary to their WR Golden Tate. The Packers’ S MD Jennings, as well as Tate, simultaneously gained possession of the ball, but two referees initially gave separate signals of touchdown and touchback.

Later, it was ruled as a game-winning touchdown for the Seahawks. 

The real twist in the game happened before the catch, when Tate shoved the Packers CB Sam Shields with both hands, but the referees didn’t draw an offensive pass interference penalty, which resulted in the Seahawks victory.

Clearly, McCarthy hasn't forgotten. Back in 2015, he took a clear jab at the infamous “Fail Mary,” pointing out that “at least our guy really caught the ball,” a not-so-subtle reminder of being on the wrong side of history.

Now, amid the latest referee tensions, his tone has shifted, sidestepping the moment entirely and leaning on technology as the fix.

As the NFL prepares to hire replacement officials, it seems that another similar controversy is inevitable this time around, too.

What is the NFL’s recent Memo about?

The NFL’s referees are fighting to push up their average annual salary and to shorten the probationary period.

But it has reached a critical breaking point. The NFLRA walked out of its last meeting with the League’s representatives. Following this, the NFL has issued a memo to all the teams. 

“The NFL issued a memo to clubs this weekend prohibiting public comment on the ongoing CBA negotiation with officials due to what the league says is the sensitivity of the ongoing discussions,” wrote ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

While the NFL continues to grow into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse, its referees still earn in the $205K–$250K range annually, a figure that trails behind top officials in leagues like the NBA.

That tension only deepens when you look at the numbers on the table. The NFL’s latest offer, a six-year deal with a 6.45% annual raise, falls well short of the union’s push for a 10.3% increase along with added marketing revenue.

Let’s see what happens next as the GMs, HCs, and club executives are gathered at the league meeting in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Written by

Monika Khatai

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote