Logic Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 The always awesome TheAthletic.com just posted a piece in which multiple analysts/players discuss the most indelible game memories they have witnessed in their respective careers. The whole piece is interesting, but I'll just highlight the segment about the Bills and the play in question, courtesy of Adam Schefter:Adam Schefter, ESPN In 30 years covering the NFL, there aren’t many press box seats as memorable as the one assigned to me as a reporter for the Denver Post on Jan. 8, 2000 for the wild-card game at what’s now LP Field between the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans. It was directly above the 25-yard line. From directly beneath that press box seat came one of the most storied plays in NFL postseason history. Moments after Bills kicker Steve Christie booted a 41-yard field goal in the closing seconds, Titans fullback Lorenzo Neal caught the ensuing kickoff and handed it to tight end Frank Wycheck, who ran along the 25-yard line, directly beneath my press box seat. Wycheck stepped back to his left and threw a jump-pass to Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who took off 75 yards for the game-winning score. Madness erupted. Tennessee celebrated. Officials huddled and, eventually, ruled. In their opinion, the pass was a backward legal lateral. Only it wasn’t. Their decision should have been overturned and/or overruled. There wasn’t— and still isn’t — a game official, TV camera, replay booth or single person who had a better view than I did of the play that unfolded directly beneath me. Two trusted and reliable sources confirmed to me it was a forward lateral. My left eye and my right eye. Each — with condolences to Buffalo and its tremendous fans — reported it was an undisputed forward lateral. Officials did not see it that way, but officials did not have my prime seat for the play that still is being replayed, over and over, 19 years later. Instead, the play sent the Bills home and the Titans to the divisional round and eventually the Super Bowl. There will be more memorable and historical moments, plays that send teams on or send them home. There will be plays that children remember as adults, and adults carry with them the rest of their lives. There always are. The joy that single plays can bring to certain cities is directly proportionate to the misery the same play can bring to other cities. Just ask Buffalo. Now, 19 years have come and gone since a forward pass dubbed the “Music City Miracle” ended the Bills’ season. In all that time, nothing has changed the fact that on Jan. 8, 2000, the Titans’ season should have ended and the Bills’ should have continued. Eyes don’t lie. 10 5 6
Tenhigh Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 You talking bout the Music City Forward Lateral? Well no $#!%, Sherlock. 4 1 1
Just Jack Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 OMG! I never realized it! These past 19 years I've always thought it was a legal backwards pass! 1
Mark Long Beach Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 I know I always wanted to believe that it was a forward pass. Credible witness with good view states it definitely was. What could have been. Alas... 2
klos63 Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 and Steve McNair shouldn't have been given a first down on the review during the drive that gave them the lead before Christie's FG. We would have won sooner. Poorly officiated game all around. The forward lateral was a close call, the first down was not. I'm still mad about that one. 1 1 1
Devilmann Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Sometimes I think it was payback (karma if you want to call it) for that Beebe catch when he stepped out of bounds in the comeback game against the Oilers
WMDman Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 we should hire a lawyer to get them to replay the last play 4 1
One Buffalo Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 We have waited all this time wondering what Schefter would say... so glad he has broken his silence and finally spoken! 1 3
Boca BIlls Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Well everyone here says Shefter is not to be trusted so this argument is now screwed. It wasn't a forward pass. 1 2
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 52 minutes ago, Just Jack said: OMG! I never realized it! These past 19 years I've always thought it was a legal backwards pass! ...let's sue Goodell to replay the game Naw Leans style.... 1
K-9 Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 What's next, Darren Dreger saying he was perched up in the catwalk immediately above Dominic Hasek's goal crease and that it was definitely "No goal.?"
klos63 Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 37 minutes ago, Devilmann said: Sometimes I think it was payback (karma if you want to call it) for that Beebe catch when he stepped out of bounds in the comeback game against the Oilers Yeah, getting our butts kicked again in the Super Bowl wasn't enough.
BearNorth Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 I was in a skybox at Adelphia that day, sure looked forward to me. I was at about the Titan's 20 yard line...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 12 minutes ago, K-9 said: What's next, Darren Dreger saying he was perched up in the catwalk immediately above Dominic Hasek's goal crease and that it was definitely "No goal.?" ....email Pee Wee Bettman and see what he thinks... 1
Alphadawg7 Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Wait, so Shefters opinion of what he remembers from something that happened 19 years ago is now the smoking gun that proves something that literal science failed to prove for 19 years?
BillsfaninChicago Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 To this day I still wonder how Phil Luckett was on a refree playoff “All-Star” team.
Formerly Allan in MD Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Now for the Brett Hull postmortem, again. 1
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