If You're Hoping for the League to Punish Ed Hochuli, Well, It Probably Ain't Happening

You may have heard something about how yesterday's Broncos-Chargers game ended. No, not head coach Mike Shanahan's decision to go for the two with Denver trailing 38-37 and just a few seconds on the clock, but referee Ed Hochuli hosing San Diego out of a huge division win and causing Norvell Turner to actually show emotion in his post-game presser.

The reactions have been predictable -- Hochuli screwed the pooch -- but if you're Turner, the Chargers, or their fans, yeah, I got some bad news: the league probably won't punish Hochuli or his guns. From NFL Network's Adam Schefter:

While appearing on a radio show this morning in Denver, an interesting question was posed from a fan in San Diego.

He wanted to know if referee Ed Hochuli would be fined or suspended for his blown call during Denver's dramatic 39-38 victory over San Diego.

Upon further review, here is the determination: There is no discipline - i.e., fine or suspension - unless an official does not know a rule or misapplies a rule. In this case, Hochuli did not do that. He simply missed the call.

Shockingly, Turner's still bummed about the whole sordid mess a day later. From his press conference earlier this afternoon (via Monday Night Countdown):

"We followed the league protocol, we sent the plays in to the league that we had in question. We expect to get a response back. I've talked to Mike Pereira, the head of officials. Anything that we talk about, anything that is discussed in terms of any of the rules, any of the calls, isn't going to change the outcome of that game. It's going to be 39-38 forever.

It's not frustration in my mind, obviously, you're pissed and then, you know that no matter what you do, that's not going to change."

If you're looking for an upside, Chargers faithful, well, their ain't one. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Hochuli's blunder could result in him not getting to work the postseason, which should make Norv Turner very happy since, you know, he won't be their either. Oh, and this is probably a bad time to bring it up, but Cutler agrees with everybody but Hochuli: it was a fumble. So there's that.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-15-2008 @ 8:51PM

Tha_Prowler said...

he can be assured the eyes of 'everyone' will be on him and his calls from here on out...he better hope for his sake he's not involved in a donogue like situation....

9-15-2008 @ 9:11PM

bigflyer said...

Ed Hochili is one of those officials who believe that fans watch the games to see him and his calls.
A good official is one whose presence is never noticed. He is a
Moron! I hate the Chargers so it is not that I dispute the screwing he gave the bolts.

9-15-2008 @ 9:21PM

bill said...

After watching two major blown plays that puts the game in the ref's hands, it makes me not want to watch the NFL anymore. I don't mind bad calls. It happens in just about every game and every sport. There's a big difference between a blown call and two calls that change the outcome of a game. It doesn't matter what team you like, when the games are decided by the NFL refs and not the players, it's time to turn on something else. It's also time to make betting on sports illegal in all states again.

9-15-2008 @ 9:32PM

Wd said...

Sorry Guys. Is this that any official blew the whistle when he should not. But once blowen play stops. It can happen to the best, And bigflyer your the moron, If you think that you are so great to find fau;t with a Pro, then why aren't you out there. Its easy to to sit in front the TV and be a TV quaterback isn't it? The chargers did notplay so good on offense or Denever would not have scored so many points. They los their own game. No more crying.

9-15-2008 @ 9:58PM

Willie Wunderlich said...

First Downs: Denver 34 San Diego 19

Total yards: Denver 486 San Diego 456

Mike Shanahan: Denver Broncos 11 San Diego 2 in games played in Denver during the past 13 years...

San Diego got 14 points in the game off of a blown kick off coverage and a Denver turnover on the goal line. Ed Hochuli called back two big gainers by Denver on a holding call and a very iffy "chop block" call in the game.

Best Team: Denver Broncos

Best Whiners: Norv Turner and the San Diego Losers

9-16-2008 @ 3:53AM

REAL BRONCO FAN said...

Thanks for the stats Willie!! Hmmmm.....guess the Best Whiners are really the Best Whimperers!!!

9-18-2008 @ 1:15AM

Michael L Pilger Jr. said...

We'll see who's whining at the end of the year!

9-15-2008 @ 10:25PM

debo said...

Wd what is Blowen?

9-15-2008 @ 10:43PM

TCATOMIC said...

COME ON PEOPLE CANT YOU SEE ED ON THE TAKE JUST LIKE THAT NBA REF HE ALONE DETERMINED THE OUTCOME OF THAT GAME BY THE WAY DENVER WAS FAVORED TO WIN BY 1 POINT MMMMMM

9-15-2008 @ 11:00PM

Mark said...

I understand that calls can be blown and mistakes happen. When a player argues or gives a ball to fan after a touchdown he is right away fined by the league and or team. A ref makes a mistake then its "poor ref!! he didn't mean to. but hes not subject to disiplinary action" He admits the screw-up now its time to pay-up

9-16-2008 @ 5:40AM

GoToTheGym said...

Mike Shanahan Head Coach of the Denver Broncos, is a Complete Inept Human Being, for the comments he made, regarding the Horrendous Call that was made Sunday, and has Guaranteed his place in the Afterlife. Instead of admitting that The Chargers Won The Game, basically he said "Tough", so that is what he will hear when he meets his maker...

9-16-2008 @ 12:30PM

Aaron said...

Sir I wish for mankind that you can not breed. You are an idiot and a danger to society

9-17-2008 @ 3:18PM

Tomaso627 said...

A ref stole another game.

Sportsclimax .com did an article on the Detroit Lions botched

coin flip game-its hilarious- check it out for a laugh.

9-17-2008 @ 3:43PM

Marlon Osborne said...

After watching the Chargers/Bronco's game thise past weekend I can only say, people do make mistakes. No one is perfect all the time. But as I do recall there were eleven defensive players on the field that did not stop the Bronco's at the goal line twice. The Bronco's marched up the field quite easily during that last drive. Yes it was a bad call, but the Chargers had 2 chances after the call to stop the Bronco's and didn't. Remember his name is Ed, not Jesus. Bad calls have been throughout the seasons for nearly all the teams. Life goes on and there are 14 more games to go. I know Ed feels bad about his call, but one bad call vs all the correct ones he has made throughout the years should not be the main topic of conversation these days. Give the man a break!!