The most controversial play of the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers was an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on receiver Brice Butler.
Related: Official clarifies why this drive-killing penalty was called against the Cowboys
According to Fox Sports NFL analyst Michael Lombardi, there should not have been a penalty called, and the NFL admitted this to teams in recent days.
The too many men in the huddle call on Dallas for 15 yards was a mistake, the league admitted this to teams...sorry....
— michael lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 19, 2017
Other teams saw the call, called the league office for clarification and NFL said Dallas was not being deceptive,no call was the right call
— michael lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 19, 2017
However, NFL Senior VP of Officiating Dean Blandino and NFL Vice President of Football Communications Michael Signora said Lombardi's claims were inaccurate.
I have not spoken to any club about this call. Longstanding rule that was last called in 2014 Week 8 WAS at DAL against WAS #82. https://t.co/0W9r6js0mq
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 19, 2017
Penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct in GB-Dal properly called. Rule 5, Section 2, Article 8e has been rule since 1955
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) January 19, 2017
"For offensive substitute who moves onto field inside field numerals & leaves without participating in one play" UNS
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) January 19, 2017
Lombardi tweeted back his response and continued to back his claim.
NFL can say anything they want but my sources are solid and I know what was told to them.I'm not starting a rumor just stating what was said
— michael lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) January 19, 2017
Butler was livid at the call after the game, and it likely cost the Cowboys points in a tightly contested game. The Cowboys were forced to punt after a 22-yard gain was negated what would have put Dallas in the red zone.
The Cowboys lost 34-31 in crunch time.
(h/t 247Sports)
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