Letter to the SEC re: Replay Official

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Subject: Replay Official - LSU/Alabama Game 2009
To: cbloom@sec.org; mwomack@sec.org; mslive@sec.org; shagan@sec.org; rredding@sec.org
Cc: bmuir@theadvocate.com; athletics@lsu.edu

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to you about the official review of an LSU interception by Patrick Peterson in the fourth quarter of the 2009 LSU-Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. The SEC replay official inexplicably let the call on the field of an incompletion stand. As I'm sure you are now well aware, that was the incorrect call.

I understand that the referees on the field have to make a real-time decision at game speed. Because of this, it is to be expected that the referees on the field will occasionally make mistakes. However, the official review process was implemented to correct certain calls that are missed on the field. The interception by LSU's Patrick Peterson in the fourth quarter is a prime example of why instant replay was implemented in the NCAA as well as the SEC.

For the SEC replay official to make such a blatantly incorrect call at such a crucial time, in such a crucial drive, in a game with so much riding on the outcome for both teams, the SEC, and all the fans of both schools, it is simply inexcusable for the replay official to make such an egregious error. LSU may very well have still lost the game despite this call, but it is quite clear that LSU was cheated of at least one crucial possession and the opportunity to win the game because of the replay official's error. Fans of the SEC would prefer to let the teams and play on the field decide the games, and in this particular situation, that most certainly is not what we got. The replay official helped decided the game, albeit with an incorrect call.

Although the game is over, and the outcome is recorded, the replay official must now be held accountable for his actions. We all have to be held accountable in our lives, and the conference's officials and replay officials must be held accountable in their positions as well. It is the job of the Commissioner of the SEC and his executive staff to hold these men accountable, whether that be through a public reprimand, a suspension, a fine, or some combination of all three. It is irresponsible of the conference if action of some kind is not taken in this matter. The competitive balance of the league is at risk if no action is taken.

I also urge the conference to look into the technology used by the University of Alabama for its replay system. It is confusing to fans how the replay system can be broken and in-operable early in the game, yet somehow begin working later in the game, despite the strenuous series of tests that these systems are put through prior to gameday. It is also interesting that Alabama faced similar criticism in their game against Tennessee less than three weeks ago when the coaches headsets were supposedly broken and in-operable early in Alabama's game with the Vols. Obviously, there needs to be a serious look taken at upgrading the equipment that the University of Alabama is using. If the equipment and technology are sufficient, then there needs to be a serious look taken at the human element operating these systems at the University of Alabama and their potential misuse of these systems.

The LSU-Alabama game is over, and nothing can be done to change that outcome. However, I believe steps should be taken by the league to ensure that the above-mentioned instances never happen again in any Southeastern Conference game. I appreciate the time that you devote to this matter.




Sincerely,

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