frisco
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame...
June 19 is the 25th anniversary of the Brett Hull "NO GOAL" that ended the 1999 season. Was it the most impactful, "worst" sports call of all-time? I'm thinking yes:
1) The moment. Triple OT, Game Six, Stanley Cup Finals. That is about as big as it gets.
2) The finality. See #1. It seems the most egregious bad calls in sports at least had some chance for the offended team to bounce back and overcome. The offside in the Islanders-Flyers Game Six 1980 Finals was in the earlier periods and the Flyers had ample chance to overcome. Ditto Don Denkinger in the 1985 World Series who would be forgotten had the Cardinals just gotten a few more outs. Plus, they had another kick at the can in a Game Seven. Saints non-pass interference against the Rams (2018)--again forgotten had New Orleans closed out the game properly.
But the Hull "goal" ended the game and the series. There was no change for redemption or recourse. That's the harshest of realities.
3) Real time/replay. Sports is played fast. Officials have to make calls in literal split seconds with players and pucks/balls moving at all kinds of speeds with fractions of inches between a good/bad call. The human element means things are missed every game. In 1999, The on-ice officials did not catch the Hull foot in the crease. That's human error but forgivable.
However, this was a reviewable play. It was not reviewed. There was no announcement for play/goal under review. The replay officials theoretically had all the time they wanted/needed to get the call right. They did not. That is an administrative error of the highest degree.
My Best-Carey
1) The moment. Triple OT, Game Six, Stanley Cup Finals. That is about as big as it gets.
2) The finality. See #1. It seems the most egregious bad calls in sports at least had some chance for the offended team to bounce back and overcome. The offside in the Islanders-Flyers Game Six 1980 Finals was in the earlier periods and the Flyers had ample chance to overcome. Ditto Don Denkinger in the 1985 World Series who would be forgotten had the Cardinals just gotten a few more outs. Plus, they had another kick at the can in a Game Seven. Saints non-pass interference against the Rams (2018)--again forgotten had New Orleans closed out the game properly.
But the Hull "goal" ended the game and the series. There was no change for redemption or recourse. That's the harshest of realities.
3) Real time/replay. Sports is played fast. Officials have to make calls in literal split seconds with players and pucks/balls moving at all kinds of speeds with fractions of inches between a good/bad call. The human element means things are missed every game. In 1999, The on-ice officials did not catch the Hull foot in the crease. That's human error but forgivable.
However, this was a reviewable play. It was not reviewed. There was no announcement for play/goal under review. The replay officials theoretically had all the time they wanted/needed to get the call right. They did not. That is an administrative error of the highest degree.
My Best-Carey