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NFL attenuates controversial facemask non-call on Sam Darnold during Rams-Vikings game-deciding drive

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Nov 2, 2024 7:27 PM ET

Nothing will materially change for the Minnesota Vikings, but the NFL tried to attenuate the huge facemask non-call during the Los Angeles Rams game-deciding drive on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.

The league fined Rams edge rusher Byron Young for unnecessary roughness, calling the play a facemask — even though the call on the field wasn’t that, and the safety decided the game in favor of the Rams.

Young was fined $7,014 for the play in the fourth quarter of the game.

The NFL fined #Rams LB Byron Young $7,014.19 for grabbing #Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s facemask last Thursday night.

No flag was thrown, and the resulting safety sealed L.A.’s win.pic.twitter.com/bAbSRBrNkj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 2, 2024

The Rams were leading 28-20 in the final minutes of the matchup. Had the call been correctly made, Minnesota would have advanced to the defensive 20-yard line. It’s a stretch to say that the play decided the game, since the Vikings would have to advance 80 yards, score the touchdown, the two-point conversion, and win in overtime.

But it’s a fact that the missed call was a big mistake, and the NFL admitted it once again by fining Byron Young.

The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support legends in need.

In the same game, two Minnesota Vikings were fined as well — linebacker Ivan Pace and running back Aaron Jones.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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