After the dramatic finale to the Week 17 match between the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions, former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown made a wild proposition to league commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Lions lost the game after being penalized for improper touching on a two-point conversion attempt, despite the team’s claims that offensive lineman Taylor Decker, who received the pass that would have given Detroit the one-point victory, reported as an eligible receiver.
Players and coaches claimed Decker told officials he would be an eligible receiver on the play, and video evidence appears to show Decker talking to officials prior to the play, but the call was not changed, and the Lions failed to complete the two-point conversion attempt on the next play.
However, according to Brown, the NFL rules grants Goodell the right to overrule the game’s outcome.
NEWS: Under Rule 17 of the #NFLÂ rulebook, commissioner Roger Goodall has the authority to OVERTURN a game result. #Movietheaters pic.twitter.com/9uwnpjX0gr
— AB (@AB84) December 31, 2023
On the surface, this is correct: the commissioner has the right under Rule 17, Section 2 to investigate and/or take corrective steps if the commissioner believes a team was treated unfairly, including reversing the game result or rescheduling the game.
However, this regulation has never been applied and would most likely require a strong push from the Lions to be implemented.
This rule was almost applied last season after a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals was called off due to Damar Hamlin collapsing on the field, but Goodell finally opted not to apply it.
Breaking News: Of course the game is secondary to #DamarHamlin’s health, but #Bills insider @viccarucci just reported on @wgrz Daybreak that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will make the call on rescheduling the Bills/Bengals game and it would have to be played within 2 days.
— Melissa Holmes (@2MelissaHolmes) January 3, 2023
The outcome of the game may have an impact on the NFC playoff seedings, but only if the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers both lose their final two games.
