Referee from Steelers vs Browns offers explanation of no call on fake field goal

In Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost kicker Chris Boswell on a failed fake field goal attempt. Boswell attempted to make a throw and took a huge hit by Browns defensive tackle Jordan Elliott.

The hit put Boswell into the concussion protocol and forced Pittsburgh to play the entire second half without a placekicker. On the play, Elliott put his helmet squarely into the jaw of Boswell, sending him to the ground with a thud. But according to referee Shawn Hochuli, the hit itself didn’t rise to the level of a foul.

“We did not see any contact that rose to the level of a foul,” Hochuli said. “It wasn’t late and, as I said, we didn’t see contact that rose to the level of a foul.”

Fortunately, the missed penalty and lack of kicker didn’t cost the Steelers the game. It will be interesting to see if the NFL reviews the play and ends up fining Elliott for the hit. If he’s fined, then it is the league admitting Hochuli and his crew missed the call.

Official Shawn Hochuli’s explanation for the no-call on the hit that took Chris Boswell out of the game on the fake field goal.
“He is a passer, he is outside the pocket, so he’s still afforded the protections of a passer…We didn’t see contact that rose to the level of a foul.” pic.twitter.com/RZsX6p95Po

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 31, 2021

What do you all say? Was the call missed and will we see a fine or will the NFL act as nothing happened? Let us know in the comments.